SENATOR MARKEY: AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS NEED TO BE SOLD AT-COST, MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE

Press Release

As the Omicron variant continues to spread and demand for at-home COVID-19 tests increases, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today sent letters -- to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), COVID-19 test manufacturers, and retailers -- to ensure that Americans have access to affordable and trustworthy at-home rapid COVID-19 antigen tests. Senator Markey sent letters to eleven manufacturers and nine retailers of at-home rapid COVID-19 antigen tests, urging the companies to make at-home test prices more reasonable for consumers in the midst of the public health emergency.

In his letter to the manufacturers, Senator Markey calls on the companies to lower their prices for at-home rapid COVID-19 antigen tests, citing reports that show at-home tests can cost as little as $2 each to manufacture but sell for $12 or more.

In his letter to retailers, Senator Markey notes his concerns that the cost of rapid at-home tests sold by retailers appears to be significantly and unreasonably marked up from the wholesale cost of purchasing these tests from manufacturers and wholesalers, and he calls on retailers to sell at-home rapid COVID-19 antigen tests at cost through the duration of the public health emergency.

"The cost of at-home testing kits can pose a significant barrier to access," wrote Senator Markey in his letter to at-home COVID-19 test retailers. "As we face an unprecedented wave of COVID cases, manufacturers and retailers must do more to ensure consumers see reasonable prices for these tests."

Senator Markey sent letters to the following manufacturers: Abbott, Access Bio, ACON Laboratories, Becton, Dickinson & Company, Celltrion USA, Ellume Health, iHealth Labs, InBios International, OraSure Technologies, and Quidel.

Senator Markey sent letters to the following retailers: Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, CVS Health, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Sam's Club, Target, and Costco.

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