Level and determinants of willingness to pay for rapid COVID-19 testing delivered through private retail pharmacies in Kenya

Abstract

To support the government response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, accessible and sustainable testing approaches are needed. Private retail pharmacies are a key channel through which communities can access COVID-19 testing. We examined the level and determinants of the willingness to pay (WTP) for rapid COVID-19 testing delivered through private retail pharmacies in Kenya. Data was collected following a cross-sectional double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation survey across 341 clients visiting five private retail pharmacies in Nairobi, Kisumu and Siaya counties. Our findings indicate mean and median WTP levels of KES 611 (US$ 5.59) and KES 506 (US$ 4.63), respectively. Estimated WTP varied across counties and increased with household income and self-reported interest in pharmacy-based COVID-19 rapid testing. These findings can inform price setting, price differentiation, price subsidization and other program design features geared towards enhancing affordability, equity, and uptake.