ATHENS — The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) decided on Tuesday to continue the free distribution of coronavirus self-tests for July and August.

In statements last week, the Health Ministry had said that if pharmacists in Attica refused to continue to distribute them, the state would consider providing them through supermarkets. Weekly self-tests are obligatory in several sectors including education and tourism. Each member of the public with a social security number is entitled to one a week for free.

Eleven members of the pharmacists' association board voted to continue the distribution, 3 to discontinue, and 1 abstained.

In a statement following the decision, NPhA said "the sense of responsiblity in efforts to control the pandemic and our social sensitivity in protecting citizens would not permit different thinking. As pharmacists, we stand by the side of citizens and support their protection from the coronavirus," chairman Apostolos Valtas said.