As the ceiling price for Covid-19 test kits been set at RM19.90 for retail, there were collective unhappiness among vendors who had purchased the devices, some above the enforced price and had called on the government to give them more time to clear inventories.
In response to their plea, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs sought to assist the retailers and has now given them a week to comply with the new pricing of the Covid-19 antigen rapid test.
Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has asked the enforcement team to monitor on the adherence but not take action by giving compounds or fines and instead give traders reminders. This comes after Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin at a press conference earlier announced the fixed pricing for self test-kits and added that there will be no negotiations on the matter despite calls for leeway.
Now, wholesalers must sell the stocks to retailers at RM16 while the retail price cant be higher than the government’s stipulated pricing. Those who fail to follow the guidelines could face action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. It carries fines up to RM100,000 or jailed not more than three years or both or face compounds of up to RM50,000 while companies could be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000.
With regards on the pricing for the antigen rapid test (RTK-Ag) and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test carried out in clinics, the minister added that his Ministry is awaiting the advice of the Health Minister as well as holding discussion with industry representatives for implementation.
Clinics have been charging patients anywhere between RM80-RN120 for saliva based antigen rapid test while the RTK test can go to RM250 and above. These sums will be impossible for regular Malaysians to handle when the country changes its position from pandemic to endemic and people will be testing for Covid-19 themselves at home regularly.
