Antigen test kits
THE government, through the Department of Health (DOH), has set the price cap for self-administered antigen test kits at P350, drawing cheers from the Filipino people.
We believe that setting the price cap “is a correct move” as the government exerts its best efforts to address the still raging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Particularly for the poor, who comprise the bulk of the country’s more than 110 million population, who can barely provide for their daily basic needs, like food.
The price cap is contained in DOH Circular No. 2021-0323-B dated January 28 but was released to the media only last Tuesday.
Like other well-meaning Filipinos, we urge concerned government authorities to hit hard at unscrupulous traders, who overprice these antigen test kits.
Admittedly, self-administered antigen testing kits play a crucial role in ending the paralyzing COVID-19 pandemic, which has devastated the country’s economy.
The government-decreed price cap takes effect on Sunday, February 20.The DOH also reduced the price of an antigen rapid diagnostic test kit to P350 from P500.
But antigen rapid diagnostic test kits subsidized or donated by DOH to DOH-licensed public and private health facilities shall be provided at zero cost to individuals.
We commend the DOH for setting the price cap considering the skyrocketing prices of even the so-called basic commodities despite today’s economic hardship.
Talagang hirap na hirap na ang maraming mamamayan dahil sa epekto ng epidemya.
