DTI sees release of COVID-19 test price cap this week

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Monday expressed confidence that the price ceiling for COVID-19 tests will be released this week.

“Kumpyansa tayo na may lalabas ngayong linggo,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a televised briefing when asked on when the price cap for COVID-19 tests will be released.

(We are confident that it will be out by this week.)

Lopez said the DTI and the Department of Health (DOH) will meet with stakeholders Monday afternoon to discuss the price range for the COVID-19 tests.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez. (File photo by YANCY LIM / Presidential Photographers Division)

“Tuloy po ngayong hapon, meron kaming mga meetings sa mga stakeholders na involved po dito sa testing dahil po ‘yun ang bilin ng ating Pangulo na magkaroon tayo ng price cap dito po sa testing, sa pag conduct ng mga PCR [polymerase chain reaction] testing,” he said.

(This afternoon, we will have meetings with stakeholders involved in testing because that’s what the President ordered, for us to impose a price cap on testing, PCR testing.)

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the DOH and the DTI to implement a price cap on COVID-19 testing and test kits to ensure its accessibility to the public.

Failure to comply with the price range may be considered as a ground for the revocation of hospital, laboratories and other health facilities’ existing licenses and accreditation, the President said in his executive order.

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