Maximum prices stipulated for PCR, rapid antigen tests

The government has stipulated maximum prices for RT-PCR tests and Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT), Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi says.

Accordingly, private healthcare facilities will be allowed to charge only Rs. 6,500 per RT-PCR test and Rs. 2,000 per Rapid Antigen Test.

The gazette notification announcing the move will be published tomorrow (August 12), the health minister said further.

The decision was taken after heeding the complaints received by the Health Ministry and the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) regarding the exorbitant prices charged by private healthcare facilities conducting COVID-19 tests.

Upon looking into the matter, it was revealed that a minimum price of Rs. 5,550 and a maximum price of Rs. 9,550 was charged for a RT-PCR test. Meanwhile, the minimum and maximum prices for a RAT were Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 5,550, respectively.

Thereby, as a solution for this, a recommendation report of the Health Ministry on fixed prices for COVID testing was handed over today by Minister Wanniarachchi, State Minister of Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna.