MANILA – The government has set a price cap on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at P3,800 to P5,000.
According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, as provided under the Joint Administrative Order of health and trade departments, the price cap of the virus tests will be at P3,800 for public facilities.
Duque, however, noted that private facilities are allowed to charge cheaper than the set floor price but they cannot exceed by P5,000 even if they offer rush test results.
“Ito ang nabuo from market study. Meron itong batayan at hindi binunot lang from thin air,” Duque said. “Ginawa nating price range kasi maraming variables. This gives laboratories leeway to consider variables.”
The price cap for RT-PCR, which is considered as the gold standard for testing possible COVID-19 infection, was set almost eight months since the community transmission of the virus recorded in the country last March.
It was in September when the DOH said it wanted to impose a price cap on the tests as some facilities were charging up to P10,000 or even more./PN
