Rapid antigen tests are free for the asking at more than 20 pharmacies in New Westminster.
The province of British Columbia is providing free rapid antigen test kits through participating pharmacies for all residents aged 18 and up. As of April 11, patients no longer need to show their health card or ID to pick up a kit; the kits are free to anyone who asks. Kits will be handed out one at a time.
The B.C. Ministry of Health says the kits are intended to be picked up by asymptomatic people to use at a future time when they have symptoms. Guidelines for testing continue to indicate that tests should be used for symptomatic individuals.
Note that if you have active symptoms, you shouldn't go to a drug store to collect your kit; send a friend, neighbour or family member to do it for you.
The B.C. Pharmacy Association is keeping a list on its website of those community pharmacies that will be handing out the BTNX Rapid Response® COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits. It notes that the list is constantly changing, so people are encouraged to check it out online for the latest information.
The list of participating pharmacies includes locations across New West. Here's the full list as of April 18:
Where to find free rapid test kits in New Westminster by neighbourhood
Downtown
- Imperial Pharmacy, 981 Carnarvon St.
- Pharmasave, 130-1005 Columbia St. (Columbia Square)
- Safeway, 220-800 Carnarvon St. (New Westminster SkyTrain station)
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 1-811 Columbia St. (New Westminster SkyTrain station, street level)
- Ultracare Guardian Pharmacy, 424 Columbia St.
Uptown
- London Drugs, 10-555 Sixth St. (Westminster Centre)
- Pharmasave Health Centre, 103-625 Fifth Ave.
- Save-On-Foods, 610 Sixth St. (Royal City Centre)
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 610 Sixth St. (Royal City Centre)
- Uptown Drugs Peoples Pharmacy, 508 Sixth Ave.
- Wal-Mart, 610 Sixth St. (Royal City Centre)
Sapperton
- Columbia Prescription X-Press, 317 East Columbia St.
- Medicine Shoppe, 413 East Columbia St.
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 288 East Columbia St. (Brewery District)
- Pure Integrative Pharmacy, 101-301 East Columbia St.
- Save-On-Foods, 270 East Columbia St. (Brewery District)
- Indigo Pharmacy, 447 East Columbia St.
Glenbrooke North
- Safeway, 800 McBride Blvd. (Royal Square)
- New West Pharmachoice, 25 Eighth Ave.
West End/Brow of the Hill
- West End Medicine Centre, 2004 Eighth Ave.
- Healthcare Pharmacy, 866 12th St.
Queensborough
- Wal-Mart, 805 Boyd St.
- Queensborough Community Pharmacy, 1028 Ewen Ave.
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