The price of antigen tests in retail outlets varies widely across the Shannonside region.
In a snapshot investigation, the cost of DIY kits in Roscommon, Carrick-on-Shannon and Longford ranges from four euro to seven euro.
Pharmacists across the region say demand for antigen tests has shot up in the last two weeks and the public are purchasing multiple tests rather than a single kit.
We spoke to nine chemists in Longford, Roscommon and Carrick-on-Shannon about the demand and found that five of the nine pharmacies we visited were retailing tests at six euro while batches of five tests were available for on average twenty five euro.
One health professional says the cost of the home testing kits are constantly changing and believes the price will be further reduced in the coming days due to an increase in supply.
Earlier this week, the health minister Stephen Donnelly said there was no need for a subsidy on tests as pharmacies and shops had brought the price down themselves.
When one chemist was asked about the reliability of an antigen test they explained that all kits should be CE certified and approved by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
Pharmacists say an antigen test should be used on day one, three and five when you have come in contact with a confirmed covid case or when you are planning on being in contact with a large group of people.
