Walmart and Kroger, the two largest retailers in the United States, have both raised their prices for the rapid tests after an agreement with the Biden administration to sell the kits at a fixed price expired at the end of the year.
A surge in positive cases has led to the average number of COVID-19 tests being near record highs.
In September of 2021, the two retailers, along with Amazon, had agreed to a three month deal with the administration to sell federally discounted test kits.
The cost of the two part self-test kits at Walmart has gone up to $19.98, while Kroger is selling them for $23.99.
The big pharmacy chains are selling the tests for less than other retailers.
Walmart increased the price in the middle of December after the program ended, but held the price at its previous level through the holidays, according to a Walmart spokesman.
The tests are still being sold in its stores and online, but there are limits on the amount of money that can be spent.
The pricing program was phased out and standard retail pricing was restored after fulfilling their agreement with the White House.
Abbott said that the stay-at- home kits are out of stock.
70 million tests a month are pumped out by the test kit manufacturer, who is running their operations around the clock.
The price at retail has not changed since we launched the test, despite rising U.S. material and labor costs.
The new Omicron variant has led to a surge in demand for COVID-19 tests, making it difficult to find and keep in stock.
The cost of at- home tests is around $100 per test.
The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test is one of the rapid tests approved by the FDA.
Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, was asked if the administration was working with retailers to bring the test prices down.
She said she was not going to give details of her private conversations with providers.
Ensuring that we are increasing access and access to free tests to people across the country is our focus.
She pointed to Biden's vow in December to make 500 million at- home tests free of charge via mail through a new government website.
Under the White House plan, insurance companies will have to reimburse applicants for the tests.
The costs and timing of the plan have not been revealed.
The administration will not have an update on how long it will take to send out and distribute the test kits.
Bryan Jung is a writer.
Bryan S. Jung has a background in politics and the legal industry. He graduated from a university.
