They give quick results. They are cheap. And they are relatively easy to use. But the arrival of rapid antigen tests on supermarket shelves last Friday has not been without controversy.
Lidl stores are selling their Covid-19 test kits at €24.99 for a box of five. NPHET has cautioned consumers not to use them, with Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan noting that he is very concerned that they will "falsely reassure people".
NPHET's Prof Philip Nolan, meanwhile, traded barbs on Twitter with Harvard epidemiologist Prof Michael Mina, saying his "snake oil" comments "further sows confusion".
Today, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said they are "not a silver bullet". But he did acknowledge that they are "one of the tools" we can use in dealing