Retailers hike COVID-19 test prices after White House deal expires

[left-of-center2012]

U.S.-based retailers are increasing prices on some of their more popular at-home COVID-19 tests after a deal with the Biden administration to sell them at a lower cost expired last month. The Biden administration announced last month it will start delivering at-home COVID tests in January and added that tests will become available to residents free of charge by mail through a new website.

Walmart announced this week that it is
raising its COVID-19 testing kits’ prices to $19.98 a box,
and Kroger Co. is now selling their testing kits for $23.99 a box.

The two retail giants, along with software giant Amazon Inc., agreed with the White House last year to apply discounts to the BinaxNOW tests, which
usually cost more than $24 for a box containing two tests.

Under the agreement, the BinaxNOW test
previously sold for $14 a boxset, the Journal reported.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/588209-retailers-increasing-prices-for-at-home-covid-19-tests

[elleng]

1. 'Naturally'

[GoCubsGo]

2. This just has me further convinced that the bulk of the "inflation" we're seeing

is actually price-gouging.

[BigmanPigman]

3. Price gouging

[crickets]

5. You're not the only one. The greed keeps going up with the prices. nt

[Klaralven]

4. You can probably get a lot more selling them out of your trunk at the CVS parking lot

[Hekate]

6. Costco.com carries Floflex 5-pack for $47.99 ($9.60 per each). Currently out of stock...

Not available in their stores — just at Costo.com when they get them back in.

I have no idea what they cost before this, but they are not known to price-gouge. They will, however, pass on increases from suppliers.