Superdrug has become the first high street retailer in the UK to launch a saliva-based PCR home-use test for coronavirus. 

The test costs £120, and is available in all 200 Superdrug pharmacies and from its website. It is designed to be less intrusive than standard PCR tests involving swab samples being taken from the nose and throat.

Once they have purchased their testing kit, patients are advised to register their details on test manufacturer Chronomics’ website and spit into the tube provided before posting their sample for analysis using a pre-paid next day posting service.

Results should be available within 24-36 hours of the sample arriving at the lab, with patients receiving an email notification once their results are ready. 

Superdrug health ambassador Dr Zoe Williams said: “People want to do Covid-19 tests for a number of reasons, and the saliva PCR test provides another option for people to get tested quickly, safely and accurately.”

Michael Henry, Superdrug’s healthcare director, said: “Superdrug offers the most comprehensive suite of Covid-19 services on the high street and has supported the public from the start of the pandemic.  Adding the PCR saliva test to our portfolio of Covid-19 testing services, is another step forward in the global battle to fight the pandemic. We’re proud that we can offer our customers further choice and accessibility to a range of Covid-19 tests that suit their needs.”

Dr Tom Stubbs, chief executive of Chronomics, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Superdrug, providing the public with easy access to our RT-PCR saliva Covid-19 test. People need certainty in these difficult times, and that’s precisely what the Chronomic test gives them. Being a saliva based test, it’s simple, straightforward and far less intrusive to get an accurate result.”