At first blush, eight-in-ten Canadians (79%) are supportive of their provincial government allowing neighbourhood pharmacies to conduct symptomatic COVID-19 testing. Only one-in-ten oppose (13%).
Support is high across all provinces and demographics – that said, Albertans (86%) are relatively more supportive and Saskatchewanians are somewhat more opposed (19%).
Those who have had at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine or are planning to get one soon, feel safe about visiting their neighbourhood pharmacy (68%).
All the measures tested that pharmacies could apply to assuage concerns re: symptomatic testing in pharmacies are seen to be important to more than three-quarters of Canadians. Most important steps are to maintain physical distancing, infection control and sanitization (65% very important), have a thorough pre-test screening for those entering the premises such that symptomatic people are moved to a separate area (61% very important) and have a separate entry and waiting area for those coming in for symptomatic testing (58% very important).
Read the full report on Canadians’ Preferences towards Symptomatic Testing in Neighbourhood Pharmacies.
