Walgreens Will Offer Over-The-Counter Coronavirus Test

DEERFIELD, IL — If you're looking for easier access to COVID-19 testing, Walgreens is hoping to make that a reality this spring. The Deerfield-based company announced earlier this week it has partnered with Labcorp to offer over-the-counter tests — with no prescription needed — at more than 6,000 stores nationwide.

"Increasing access to COVID-19 testing continues to be a priority for Walgreens. Working with Labcorp, we can now offer testing solutions at a majority of Walgreens locations nationwide," said John Standley, president of Walgreens, in a statement. "This is another example of the power of innovative collaboration to drive greater access to care and products, and we look forward to continuing to work with Labcorp to provide health products and services to our communities."

Walgreens Boot Alliance, headquartered in Deerfield, oversees 9,277 Walgreens and Duane Reade stores in the U.S.

Once purchased, customers can self-administer the test collection using a short nasal swab and send their sample back to Labcorp via pre-paid FedEx Express Overnight, according to a release. Once processed by Labcorp, test results can be accessed by customers via the Pixel by Labcorp website.

If a COVID-19 test is positive, a Labcorp-verified healthcare staff member will contact customers directly by phone or mail to discuss next steps, according to the release. Pixel by Labcorp has contracted with a physician network to provide independent physician services for consultation. The company said the test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional and is for use by adults 18 and older.

The addition of testing kits available in-store is aimed to address stores that do not currently have testing available on-site, according to the release. The company is hoping that the addition of the testing kits will help to ensure customers have access to testing solutions when and how they need it — at-home, in-store or at one of Walgreens’ other testing sites.

"This is yet another convenient way for consumers to learn if they are infected with COVID-19, which can help communities continue the fight against this global pandemic," said Brian Caveney, M.D., chief medical officer and president of Labcorp Diagnostics, in the release.

Labcorp’s COVID-19 PCR test has not been FDA cleared or approved. It has been authorized by the FDA under an emergency use authorization only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens, according to the release.

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