Banned items sold for £400 on eBay, multiple listings removed

Foreign media reported that because people were allowed to pick up the test kits from testing centers for free, the UK NHS Covid nucleic acid test kits were repeatedly picked up and illegally sold online.

A BBC Radio 5 Live investigation found dozens of advertisements for nucleic acid tests on eBay and social media. In one post, a seller claimed to be an "NHS approved supplier" and was selling individual nucleic acid test strips for £10 each, excluding delivery costs.

Someone said that he received 21 test strips when collecting test strips for his daughter who was returning to school , but no one asked him if he had a schoolchild certificate or even his name. In fact, after the UK gradually lifted the blockade and children could return to school, the British government did say that people in need could collect a batch of test kits from the testing center to ensure that they could attend classes safely. Eligible groups include primary and secondary school students, college students, faculty and staff.

However, as the policy was opened up, nucleic acid test kits also triggered unexpected market chaos: dozens of advertisements for Covid nucleic acid test reagents appeared online, some sold individually and some sold in bulk. In addition to this post claiming to be a "qualified seller", other posts also showed that boxes containing a variety of nucleic acid test reagents were priced at up to 400 pounds.

The average cost of these reagents is about £10, so many British citizens think this is much less than going to the NHS for testing. British officials say it is best not to buy test kits on the Internet because no one has a definite way to guarantee the authenticity and effectiveness of these test kits.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Selling these devices for private gain is illegal and reprehensible. We are working closely with all major platforms, including eBay , to ensure all listings are identified and removed quickly."

After the incident was exposed, these advertisements have been deleted. eBay condemned the sale of nucleic acid test reagents and immediately deleted dozens of posts. It also took action against those who promoted the sale of nucleic acid test reagents: "We condemn anyone who attempts to resell COVID reagents provided by the NHS. We have deleted multiple listings and taken action on the seller's account."

An eBay spokesperson said: "We have filters in place to block these reagents from the platform, and our policy team monitors these items regularly. Anyone attempting to list these reagents will find their listings blocked or removed from the marketplace and action taken against their account."

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