Labcorp, Walgreens to Provide Free COVID-19 Test Kits

Labcorp logo
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Burlington-based Labcorp has partnered with Walgreens to make its Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 test kit available in drugstores at no cost for people who meet clinical guidelines.

The at-home collection kit is for PCR testing, considered the gold standard in diagnosing COVID-19. Kits will be available in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“Through our continued partnership with Labcorp and HHS, communities will have better access to convenient COVID-19 PCR testing,” said John Standley, president of Walgreens. “This is particularly important for uninsured, socially vulnerable and medically underserved populations, who continue to be among those most impacted by COVID.”

Pixel kit
The Pixel by LabCorp COVID test kit. -- Labcorp photo

Individuals can visit walgreens.com/covid19testing to determine if they are eligible for a free kit.

Completed tests can be dropped off at more than 6,000 Walgreens locations or a FedEx drop-off location using a pre-paid shipping bag provided. Results are returned on average within one or two days after the specimen is received at Labcorp.

The partnership with Walgreens “makes testing within reach for more individuals across the country, including those communities that might otherwise have a harder time accessing health care,” said Brian Caveney, M.D., chief medical officer and president of Labcorp Diagnostics. “As we begin seeing regions across the country loosen COVID-19 restrictions, testing will continue to play an important role as people increase pre-pandemic routine activities.”

Labcorp became the first U.S. commercial laboratory to launch COVID-19 PCR testing in 2020, and less than two weeks later it became the first to receive Emergency Use Authorization for its test from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In April 2020, Labcorp launched at-home collection kits for PCR testing.

Labcorp is a global life sciences company that employs more than 75,000 people including approximately 10,000 workers throughout North Carolina. The company serves clients in more than 100 countries and reported revenue of $16 billion in 2021.

Barry Teater, NCBiotech Writer
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