The price range of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing has been released by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) after conducting a market survey.
The two agencies have agreed to settle the price range at ₱3,800 for public laboratories and between ₱4,500 to ₱5,000 for private laboratories.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III disclosed that the range is evidence-based and is in accordance with the recommendation of experts. It covers testing inputs, swab, universal transport medium, extraction kits, and machine and overhead cost.
“Ang dahilan nga ay napakalawak ng pagkakaiba ng mga singilan for RT-PCR ng mga iba’t ibang laboratoryo, ospital, mga iba pang kakayahang magsagawa ng RT-PCR testing (The reason is the wide gap in RT-PCR testing price of different laboratories, hospitals, and other RT-PCR-capable facilities),” Sec. Duque stated.
The official explained that the imposed pricing will prevent market abuse after some private laboratories raised concern on the matter.
The Joint Administrative Order was signed on November 24 and will be effective 15 days after its publication. There will be a monitoring and evaluation unit to check the compliance of laboratories. Violators of the newly established pricing may face suspension and revocation of their licenses as COVID-19 testing laboratories.
Meanwhile, the DOH announced that the British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca has officially applied to conduct its third phase of clinical trials in the Philippines. – Report from Mark Fetalco
