Health and beauty retailer Superdrug has been accused of “profiteering from a pandemic” after launching a coronavirus antibody test.
The £69 test, which is taken by a finger prick blood sample, identifies antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus by detecting the IgG protein that develops after infection.
If the sample is positive it means the person has had coronavirus at some point.
But instead of feeling a sense of relief, some consumers hit out at the retailer expressing their concern.
@superdrug this is profiteering from a Pandemic, praying on peoples anxieties (during Mental Health Awareness week😔) I hope people vote with their cash (or lack of it) buy choosing another store! But I guess this is priced for your middle class customer demographic.#superdrug
— Craig Fleming (@craigfleming_) May 20, 2020
When you read antibody tests are going to be released by @superdrug for £69 after reading they cost next to nothing to produce (initial reports they’d retail at £6-£10 per test) ABSOLUTELY SCANDALOUS! Imagine how many people want them but can’t afford them! I
— Laura Dawson (@LauraJDawson26) May 20, 2020
The test’s 97.5% accuracy rating also hit a nerve with one Labour MP.
Yvonne Fovargue said Superdrug was “playing on people’s fears” and that the price was “excessive” for a test that is not “completely accurate”.
In response, Superdrug told Cosmetics Business that
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