Quick tests, fast resale |The press

Tests probably provided for free to the population are sold illegally

They fly like hot rolls.With new instructions limiting access to PCR tests, fast tests probably from boxes provided for free people in schools or pharmacies are sold illegally to the unit in plastic bags, without invoice and cash, thanksto social networks.

The press was able to buy two of these $ 20 autodiagnostic kits on Wednesday, in a clothing store on Chabanel, in the north of Montreal.

The dealer, who announced his product at $ 15 in the morning on the Facebook Marketplace platform, suddenly increased its prices during the day."It has increased because there are more at all in Quebec," he explained in an exchange on Messenger, ensuring however being able to make free delivery for any purchase of five or more tests.

"The price is the same, no matter the quantity you take, because there is not [available].There, currently, I have just 50, "he said in another series of messages.

At first glance, these are exactly the same Rapid Response brand tests as those distributed by the thousands, in a box of five, to primary students, just before the holiday season.The only notable difference: the manual has obviously been printed with a monochrome photocopier rather than on icy paper in the colors of the original box, and the components have been collected individually in a plastic bag that has no detailOn its origin.

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— Deborah Lee 💙 Sat Aug 24 06:53:37 +0000 2013

« Illégal»» et « regrettable»», dit le MSSS

The position of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) is unequivocal: "It is illegal to sell such a product without being duly authorized there.We obviously find it unfortunate that people are trying to make a profit with a product distributed for free, "deplored the spokesperson for MSSS, Marjorie Larouche.

"We condemn such a practice and we focus our efforts on the distribution of fast quantity tests for the population.»»

« C’est épouvantable»», lance PierreArchambault, Managing Director of ABC Medical, un distributeur accrédité de produits médicaux.According to him, the big price for a box of five quick tests is around $ 45.

In the trade where we went to buy two copies, an employee said that tests came from BTNX company, Toronto.However, on his website and on the phone, BTNX claims not to sell tests directly to the public.Only accredited distributors and health agencies can acquire and distribution.

"Even if it is not a drug, there are very rigorous rules to respect to distribute medical products.We, when a truck comes to deliver products to us, we must take note of the temperature of the goods, illustrates M.Archambault.These people certainly do not have such serious practices.It’s so frustrating.»»

Le président de l’Ordre des pharmaciens, Bertrand Bolduc, qualifie quant à lui la situation de « malheureuse»».However, it is unlikely that his trustee intervenes."Our trustee investigates when the resale of drugs is found on the Internet or in unauthorized businesses. Mais dans ce cas-ci, comme il s’agit d’un test rapide qui est aussi distribué gratuitement dans les écoles, ça me surprendrait que ça mène à grand-chose»», commente-t-il.

Even if the Quebec government officially provides a box of five tests per month to all citizens, authorized distributors with a license granted by the federal government can resell them.Prices seen on Wednesday per unit on different sites were around $ 10 to $ 17 per test.

Lorsque nous avons demandé au téléphone au revendeur de la rue Chabanel où exactement il avait trouvé les siens, il nous a offert une réponse plutôt courte : « Allez vous faire foutre !»»