❓ WA Government clarifies the status of rapid antigen tests (RATs) purchased during the pandemic, detailing stockpile numbers, expiry dates, distribution, and write-offs due to expiry and manufacturer withdrawal. The government assures the public that withdrawn tests used in clinical settings remain effective.
AnsweredQoN 1210Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 110.7 million rapid antigen tests (RATs) ordered by the State Government at a cost of more than $570 million and I ask: (a) how many tests remain in the Government stockpile; (b) what is the expiry date for tests identified in (a); (c) how does the Government intend to utilise remaining tests before they expire; (d) how many tests has the Government disposed of, destroyed or returned to the manufacturer or supplier to date; (e) of those identified in (d), how many were disposed, destroyed or returned as a result of: (i) expiry; (ii) being withdrawn by the manufacturer; (iii) updated advice or registration status from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA); and (iv) for other reasons (please identify); (f) what was the total value of the tests disposed, destroyed or returned identified in (d); (g) how many tests has the Government distributed to date; (h) has the State government distributed any tests which have since been withdrawn by the manufacturer or are no longer recommended by the TGA; and (i) if yes to (h), how many tests were distributed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 March 2023
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Response time
6 days
(a) 42.5 million.
(b) The use by dates for the current stock of RATs range from February 2023 to December 2024.
(c) RATs continue to be provided and made available to the WA Health system and the WA community through a variety of distribution channels including schools and pop up sites.
(d) - (e) 0.552 million RATs have been written off due to expiry.
(f) $1.6 million.
(g) 69.9 million RATs.
(h) The WA health system has purchased 2.25 million Veritor System for Rapid Detection tests, which have since been voluntarily withdrawn from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) by the supplier, Beckton Dickinson, for commercial reasons, to focus on other products. There is nothing to suggest these particular tests, which have been used in clinical settings and not distributed to the public, are ineffective at detecting current COVID-19 variants. Clinics were advised that although the product is safe to use, it is not registered by TGA anymore.
(i) 32,184.
(b) The use by dates for the current stock of RATs range from February 2023 to December 2024.
(c) RATs continue to be provided and made available to the WA Health system and the WA community through a variety of distribution channels including schools and pop up sites.
(d) - (e) 0.552 million RATs have been written off due to expiry.
(f) $1.6 million.
(g) 69.9 million RATs.
(h) The WA health system has purchased 2.25 million Veritor System for Rapid Detection tests, which have since been voluntarily withdrawn from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) by the supplier, Beckton Dickinson, for commercial reasons, to focus on other products. There is nothing to suggest these particular tests, which have been used in clinical settings and not distributed to the public, are ineffective at detecting current COVID-19 variants. Clinics were advised that although the product is safe to use, it is not registered by TGA anymore.
(i) 32,184.
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