NHS covid tests for sale on eBay and other online markets in ‘illegal and reprehensible’ trade

NHS covid tests are advertised for sale on eBay by sellers claiming to be authorised health service suppliers in ‘illegal and reprehensible’ trade

  • The Government says it is illegal to sell lateral flow testing kits for personal gain
  • Online firm eBay has since removed dozens of adverts for kits from its website
  • DHSC urges people to avoid buying test online as you cannot be sure it’s genuine

The Government has condemned the illegal sale of Covid tests on sites like eBay after it was revealed they were being sold for profit.

An investigation by BBC Radio 5 Live found that dozens of adverts for lateral flow tests were posted on sites including eBay and social media.

In one post, the seller purported to be an ‘NHS approved supplier’ and was selling the individual tests for £10 plus postage each.

The Government condemned the sale of Covid Lateral Flow Tests online after an investigation found dozens of adverts for the testing kits on sites including eBay and social media websites

An example of one advert for a single lateral flow testing kit which was posted on eBay

An example of one advert for a single lateral flow testing kit which was posted on eBay

Other posts seemed to show boxes of multiple lateral flow tests had been sold for as much as £400. 

Most of the adverts have since been removed after companies were made aware of them.

The Government has said people should avoid buying testing kits off the internet because there is no way to tell if they are genuine. 

AN image showing completed sales of testing kits sold on eBay earlier this year

AN image showing completed sales of testing kits sold on eBay earlier this year

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘The sale of these devices for personal gain is both illegal and reprehensible.

‘We are working closely sites such as eBay to ensure any listings are quickly identified and removed.

‘People should not buy or use these tests as there is no guarantee they are genuine.’

Since schools reopened, the Government has said those eligible to do so can collect batches of test kits from testing centres to allow them to ensure they are still safe to attend.

Those eligible include secondary school pupils and college students, teaching staff and households in support bubbles. 

The Government added that measures are in place to track the movement of tests but that they are continuing to improve these.

eBay also said it condemns the sale of the tests and took immediate action to remove dozens of postings, taking action against those who had advertised the sale of the tests.