COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health and Wellbeing a question about rapid antigen testing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Rapid antigen tests are a method for detecting COVID-19 quickly. Do-it-yourself rapid antigen testing at home has become common practice in some parts of the world, but not yet in Australia. That is about to change on Monday 1 November, when 33 test kits approved for personal use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will be available for purchasers, except in South Australia and Western Australia.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia yesterday called on the Marshall government to amend current legislation to clear the way for do-it-yourself testing in South Australia. The PSA fears South Australia will fall behind the rest of the country if the legislation isn't amended, particularly in view of the 23 November deadline to open borders and ease some restrictions. PSA SA Branch President, Robyn Johns, said:

As rapid antigen testing becomes more prevalent across the nation, South Australia risks being left behind in our COVID-19 response if these legislative changes are not made…The benefits of antigen testing are clear, hence, why supermarket giants have recently announced they will be stocking tests for personal use as of next week.

My question to the minister is: when does the government intend to amend legislation to allow rapid antigen testing kits to be made available to South Australians?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:46): I may need to be corrected, but I don't think the fact that rapid antigen tests can't be done in South Australia is in relation to any statute. My understanding is that it can't be done in South Australia because it is contrary to a direction under the Emergency Management Act. When and if it is relevant to use rapid antigen testing in South Australia, my understanding is that SA Health would give advice to the State Coordinator and he would amend the direction.

I make the point that rapid antigen testing is already being used in South Australia. It is being used in particular to test truck drivers coming into the state. It is also being trialled, I understand, by SA Health and SA Pathology, first of all to be familiar with the technology and also to consider its application.

The problem with rapid antigen testing is that it is not anywhere near as accurate as PCR testing. It has most relevance when a community has significant community transmission, and it could be used in a range of contexts. For example, it might be used in the context of a health facility in terms of staff coming in.

Certainly, my understanding is that SA Health is not intending to recommend to the State Coordinator that that direction be changed anytime soon. In particular, it is concerned that if rapid antigen testing was available on a retail basis people may choose to purchase a rapid antigen test and not present at a testing clinic, whether it is an SA Health or a non-SA Health facility, and that as a result we would have less reliable indications. The rapid antigen testing is significantly more likely to have a false positive result.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Pangallo has a supplementary.