The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday warned Covid testing laboratories against charging more than the approved price range for RT PCR tests.
“Those who will overcharge above the maximum price cap of P 5,000.00 for private laboratories and P 3,800.00 for public laboratories will be penalized,” the DOH warned.
The DOH noted that the amounts indicated as price caps are subject to periodic review and may change depending on prevalent economic factors.
To protect the public from abusive laboratories, the DOH and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will continue to monitor, evaluate, and enforce these prices to ensure that Covid-19 testing remains affordable and of quality.
Meanwhile, the DOH is encouraging the laboratories to lower their prices below the stated reference price.
“The DOH and the DTI clarify that private and public laboratories may charge patients for Covid-19 testing at a price lower than the reference price indicated in DOH Circular No. 2020-0391,” the DOH stated adding that both agencies stress that “this is allowed, provided that the quality of service is maintained.”
The DOH and DTI assure that no sanctions will be imposed on those who wish to lower their prices.