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A further peak of rapid tampons is expected with the entry into force of the Green Pass obligation in the workplace and the Ministry has extended the duration of the exemption for those who cannot be vaccinated
The use of rapid antigenic swabs, following the extension of the Green Pass, it is gradually increasing and a further boom is expected when the obligation of the Green Card in the workplace comes into force. Also in light of this deadline, the validity of the exemption certificate issued by doctors to those who cannot receive or complete the anti-Covid vaccination cycle has been extended by the Ministry of Health for another two months. A document that is also necessary for obtaining, at pharmacies and health facilities that administer rapid antigen tests, the free supply of the swab. But what is the operation in these cases for pharmacies?
Rapid buffers, 57.7% increase in August. Further growth is expected from 15 October
“The progressive extension of the green pass has achieved a very clear effect in terms of population testing, but so far it has not produced any spike in the new vaccine curve” he explained. Nino Cartabellotta, President Gimbe, commenting on the latest data. “Since August 6, in fact, the impact of the extension of the green pass is very evident on rapid buffers: the 7-day moving average increased by 57.7% in a month, going from 113 thousand (August 6) to 178 thousand (7 September), and then stabilized. Considering that at least 5 million unvaccinated people are of working age, the litmus test to evaluate the effectiveness of the “gentle push” will arrive around October 15, the effective date of the obligation of the green pass for public and private employees ». What will need to be seen is whether this deadline will represent a boost to vaccination or if it will translate into a further increase in testing activities.
Obligation of free tampons for vaccine-free: here are the requirements
In the meantime, as will be recalled, in order to facilitate citizens, the so-called Decree on the Green Pass at work (no. 127) has been envisaged, alongside the obligation for “pharmacies that administer rapid antigen tests to apply the methods and prices defined in the National Protocol “, including that of” ensuring the free swab for subjects who cannot receive or complete the anti Covid vaccination “provided they have” suitable medical certification “. But what does the operation for pharmacies envisage in this case? A first aspect to pay attention to concerns precisely the certification of the exemption: the Decree provides that with a forthcoming “Dpcm, the technical specifications to treat it digitally” will have to be identified. But, pending its adoption, “the certifications in paper format can be used”. These can “be issued directly by the vaccinating doctors of the vaccination services of the companies and bodies of the regional health services or by the general practitioners or pediatricians of the patient’s free choice who work in the context of the vaccination campaign”. With the recent circular of the Ministry of Health (25 September), its validity has been extended – from the initial deadline of 30 September to 30 November -, both for the certifications already issued and for the issue of new documents.
The operational steps for pharmacies
Pharmacies, therefore, as indicated in an in-depth study on the Federfarma Filodiretto house organ, “in order to correctly identify the right holders and obtain reimbursement” must “verify that the certification is issued exclusively by the persons in charge, who may be vaccinators. of the Vaccination Services of the Regional Health Services or family doctors and pediatricians who work as part of the anti-Covid vaccination campaign “.
The indication – which was also confirmed in a circular today by Commissioner Figliolo addressed to Federfarma, Assofarm and Farmacieunite – then is to “keep a copy of the paper certification in the records”, as the only documentation certifying the citizen’s right to receive the tampon for free. “In any case, the information obligation concerning the transmission of data of the tampons carried out to the Health Card System remains valid, including the data of the signaling (flag) of the tampon administered in exemption”.
Francesca Giani
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