COVID-19: Government to set ceiling price for RT-PCR, RTK-Antigen - Dr Adham Baba

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will implement price controls on RT-PCR and RTK-Antigen test kits sold through the private sector, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

In a special interview with the health portal CodeBlue recently, the Tenggara Member of Parliament said the government has also decided to further expand the COVID-19 screening program at facilities owned by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).

He further explained that the ministry has decided that the test price is RM150 for RT-PCR, and RM60 for RTK-Antigen for those who choose to do screening through government facilities.

"However, screening tests through government facilities remain free for those identified by MOH officers as close contact to COVID-19 patients.

"Under the implementation of the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) 2021, we will continue to ensure that screening tests are easy to do, either through the government or private sector," he said in an interview last Wednesday.

In a dialogue session with Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on February 4, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was reported to have said that the Prime Minister can use his power under the provisions of the ordinance for things that help the people more.

Apart from outsourcing public health needs to the private sector, he said, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin could also set the ceiling price for screening tests so as not to burden the people too much.

Dr Adham said the ceiling price for the test kits is still under discussion.

"We are determining the price. There are several parameters that affect the price factor - some of them are itemised (price breakdown), some also get high-priced supplies from various sources," he added.

In the meantime, Dr Adham revealed, the MOH is exploring new screening test methods, in addition to conventional methods that require test kits to be inserted into the respiratory tract through the nose and throat.

For now, he said, it is known as "deep-throat saliva", which is the sampling of saliva produced in the throat.