A health worker conducts a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) swab testing at a gymnasium in Navotas City, Metro Manila, Aug. 7, 2020. (File photo from REUTERS)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has lowered the price cap for RT-PCR tests in a bid to make COVID-19 testing cheaper amid the ongoing surge of coronavirus cases.
Below is the price cap for RT-PCR tests based on DOH Circular No. 2021-0374 dated Aug. 26:
- Public laboratories: P2,800 for plate-based and P2,450 for GeneXpert
- Private laboratories: P3,360 for plate-based and P2,940 for GeneXpert
- Home service: P1,000 for plate-based and GeneXpert
The new price cap will take effect starting Sept. 6.
Under the previous DOH and Department of Trade and Industry guidelines as of November last year, the price of PCR testing should not exceed P5,000 in private laboratories and P3,800 in public laboratories.
Meanwhile, in DOH Circular No. 2021-0323 dated Aug. 6, the DOH also set a P960 price cap for rapid antigen testing.