Self-tests in supermarkets: “We will sell them at cost price, at less than two euros”, assures the chairman – franceinfo

After the publication on Tuesday, December 28 in the Official Journal of an order from the Ministry of Health authorizing the sale in supermarkets of self-tests to detect Covid-19, “orders are in progress”, ensures on franceinfo the president of the system U brand, Dominique Schelcher. “I think our suppliers will allow us to sell it at cost, for less than two euros.”

franceinfo: How do you react to this announcement?

Dominique Schelcher: Finally ! We have been calling for it for some time. This had been refused to us last year and, for a few days, we had the request of certain customers who had difficulty obtaining these self-tests in pharmacies. So this is good news for customers. I think the first deliveries will arrive in the course of next week. Orders are in progress.

Will your self-tests be cheaper than in pharmacies?

Absoutely. The self-test is currently sold for five euros in pharmacies. We talk to our suppliers. I think they will allow us to sell it at cost price, for less than two euros. Apparently, production is in full swing. I think there was a spike last week. Things are getting back to normal and the product will be available again in the next few days.

Will the sales authorization which runs until January 31st be sufficient?

That is the future that will tell, and undoubtedly the demand. I think the government is facing a number of pressures from pharmacists who do not want to lose their monopoly. We will have to see how things will go during this month of January and what real service it will bring. The government will decide whether or not to continue.

Do you think pharmacies should focus on antigen and PCR tests and you on self-tests?

Everyone has their own job. I think the offer will be complementary. When you buy a self-test for the first time, you will probably go, and rightly so, to your pharmacist for the right advice. Once the gesture is known, you can come and buy the product from us, as we do today for masks and hydro gel. It has become a banality. The idea for us is to provide this additional service by responding to customer demand.