Laboratories can charge for swab tests at lower price

MANILA, Philippines — Laboratories can charge for their COVID-19 testing at a lower price than the current price cap, said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Health (DOH), after noting that laboratories were thinking twice before lowering prices below the reference price.

The government has set the price cap for RT-PCR testing at P5,000 for private laboratories and P3,800 for public laboratories.

On Friday, the DTI and the DOH said laboratories could go below that price, just not beyond it. The DOH and the DTI assured the public that no sanctions would be imposed on those who lower their prices.

But those who charge above the price cap would be penalized, they said.

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For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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