February 6, 2021 @ 5:15pm
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has lauded statement by the Health director-general on price control to check on Covid-19.
CAP education officer N.V. Subbarow said it was a good suggestion, especially for those in the lower income group.
Currently, he said, the price of RT-PCR and RTK-Antigen tests at private clinics ranged between RM220 and RM388 and RM90 and RM170 respectively.
"If not controlled, the price may go up, just like the face mask previously.
"As such, we urged the consumers and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to cooperate with the Health Ministry to regulate prices for test prices.
"There must be an understanding between the ministries involved in the Covid-19 tests.
"Strict action must be taken against any private clinic that charges it (the test) expensively. Everyone has to play an important role," he said
According to Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the Health Ministry will try to control the price of the Covid-19 tests at private clinics to make it more affordable for the public.
Dr Noor Hisham had compared the Covid-19 tests with a face mask, which saw a price increase last year following an increase in demand.