COVID-19 Test Sold OTC at Walgreens

Illinois-based Walgreens announced an agreement with Abbott to sell the BinaxNOW™ Rapid Antigen Self Test over-the-counter (OTC) in Walgreens stores in the USA.

The BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Antigen Self Test is a lateral flow immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection of nucleocapsid protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2 from individuals with or without symptoms or other epidemiological reasons to suspect COVID-19 infection when tested twice over three days with at least 36 hours between tests. 

This test will be available for purchase on Walgreens.com, OTC in-store, for curbside pick-up, and same-day delivery for $23.99 (MSRP).

“The BinaxNOW Self Test opens the door for Americans to buy an accurate and affordable test on their own terms, when and where they need it,” said Andrea F. Wainer, EVP of Abbott’s rapid and molecular diagnostics business, in a press release.

Customers can self-administer the test collection using a short nasal swab (not the deep and invasive nasopharyngeal swab) and check test results in 15 minutes.

The BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test is the most studied rapid antigen test in the U.S., having first been approved in the U.S. for professional use in August 2020. The Self Test is the identical format and technology as the professional test. It will come in a two-count box to meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) serial testing requirements for non-prescription, OTC purchases.

On March 31, 2021, Abbott received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for over-the-counter, non-prescription, asymptomatic use of its BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test to detect COVID-19 infection.

Walgreens is one of the first mass retailers in the USA to make Abbott’s test widely available. Walgreens is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a global retail and wholesale pharmacy leader.