Three New Jersey pharmacies have been penalized for selling COVID-19 test kits not authorized for at-home use, and one for not clearly displaying the price of the tests.
The penalties were issued by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs for alleged consumer protection violations, the attorney general's office said in a March 31 news release.
SLV Pharmacy, doing business as Valley Pharmacy in Succasunna, N.J., was cited for offering and selling test kits not authorized for at-home use, as well as for failing to plainly mark the cost of the tests.
Sayreville Pharmacy in Monroe Township, N.J., and Sanraj, doing business as Iselin (N.J.) Pharmacy were cited for offering and selling tests not authorized for at-home use.
Khawajarx, doing business as Wellcare Pharmacy in Union City, N.J., was fined for offering and selling test kits without properly displaying the price to consumers.
The pharmacies face penalties ranging from $500 to $5,000, and they must cease and desist from engaging in any practice that violates the Consumer Fraud Act, the attorney general's office said.
"COVID testing, in addition to vaccination, has been essential to New Jersey's recent return to normalcy," said Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin. "While New Jersey residents have joined together in fighting COVID-19, unfortunately there are still some businesses seeking to profit unlawfully from the pandemic. Two years after the pandemic arrived in New Jersey, we still have zero tolerance for such conduct."