COVID-19

Duterte orders price cap for COVID-19 testing

Pia Ranada

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Duterte orders price cap for COVID-19 testing

A nurse undergoes swabbing of specimen for a sample to test for COVID-19 in Mandaluyong City on April 16, 2020, to monitor conditions of health workers. Photo by Darren Langit/Rappler

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Hospitals, labs, and other health facilities that don't follow the price range will lose their accreditation as COVID-19 testing centers

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the imposition of a price cap for COVID-19 testing and test kits to prevent exorbitant costs of a service critical to curbing the coronavirus pandemic.

His Executive Order No 118, signed on Wednesday, November 4, says the government will formulate a “just” and “equitable” price range of testing services and test kits that is “sensitive to all stakeholders.”

Duterte directed the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Health to come up with the price range and issue guidelines for its imposition.

Why does this matter?

The Chief Executive’s decision comes as complaints of exorbitantly-priced swab testing services have reached members of his coronavirus task force.

It was the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) that had recommended imposing a limit on pricing.

The reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests or swab tests have become in-demand since it has become a requirement for activities like traveling to other countries or, in some cases, livelihood.

This has led to citizens worrying that unscrupulous businessmen would jack up the price of test kits and testing.

In Metro Manila, private hospitals charge anywhere from P4,000 to P13,000 for RT-PCR testing. But there are some hospitals that provide the service for P1,750 to P2,000, according to a list provided by Malacañang.

How will price cap be imposed?

Duterte’s order states that hospitals, medical centers, and laboratories will have to stick to the price range if they wish to get accredited and licensed as COVID-19 testing centers.

All such hospitals and facilities who currently have accreditation will need to follow the price range when they charge for their services.

“Failure to comply therewith may be considered as a ground for the revocation of existing licenses or accreditation,” reads Section 2 of the executive order.

The DOH is also tasked with ensuring hospitals, medical facilities, and labs stay transparent about their testing prices. – Rappler.com

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Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.