DOH finalizing joint admin order on price cap on COVID-19 testing, test kits

FILE PHOTO: A health worker conducts a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) swab testing at a gymnasium in Navotas City, Metro Manila, Philippines, August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said it was finalizing the joint administrative order on the price cap on COVID-19 testing and test kits.

“We are already finalizing,” DOH Undersecretary and spokeswoman Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa online press briefing when asked for an update on the joint administrative order.

Vergeire added that the DOH has consulted with various stakeholders on the price cap on COVID-19 tests and kits.

“Inipon po natin yung mga komento nila tapos inanalyze po natin ulit, nag-final draft na po tayo at pipirmahan na lang po nila [Department of Trade and Industry] (DTI) Secretary  Mon Lopez at [DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III] yung ating joint admin order para mailabas po natin maybe early part of the week next week,” the DOH spokeswoman said.

(We had compiled for their comments and we analyzed it, we had our final draft and is awaiting the signature of Secretary Mon Lopez and Secretary Duque so this will be released maybe early part of the week next week.)

President Rodrigo Duterte, through Executive Order (EO) No. 118 ordered both the DTI and DOH to  “determine, formulate and implement” a price range for COVID-19 testing.

“The DOH and the DTI shall ensure that the price range for COVID-19 testing and test kits is just, equitable and sensitive to all stakeholders,” Duterte’s EO read.

As of Nov. 21, the Philippines now has 416,852 COVID-19 cases, with 8,080 deaths and  375,548 recoveries.

CFC