Ceiling price decision on Covid-19 self-test kits is final, says Khairy

Ceiling price decision on Covid-19 self-test kits is final, says Khairy

PUTRAJAYA: The government’s decision to impose a ceiling price for Covid-19 self-test kits is final, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister said while the move has upset traders and suppliers, the government had to listen to consumers who found the uncontrolled price of self-test kits too high.

“I understand that in any decision, there will always be a side that will not be satisfied. In this case, traders and suppliers are the unsatisfied ones.

“But I and (Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister) Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi had chosen to side with the consumers.

“The consumers had asked that the price of self-test kits be made more affordable, so we had to do that. The decision is done, so let’s move on,” said Khairy to reporters at his ministry on Friday (Sept 3).

From Sunday (Sept 5), the ceiling price of the Covid-19 self-test kits will be RM16 for wholesale and RM19.90 for retail.

The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) was among those who had cried foul over the government’s decision to implement the ceiling price, which it claimed was too sudden.

The group had asked for a longer grace period for sellers to clear their old stock, or for a subsidy to be given to them.

Khairy, however, said the decision was final.

“You have to balance between the needs of traders and also the public. If we give traders one month for them to clear their stock, then the people will suffer.

“They have to pay RM40 for a self-test kit just for the traders to clear their stock. So we have to make a decision, and that decision has been made,” said Khairy.

Govt sets ceiling price for Covid-19 self-test kits

PUTRAJAYA: The government has set a ceiling price of RM16 (wholesale) and RM19.90 (retail) for Covid-19 self-test kits.

This was announced in a joint statement on Thursday (Sept 2) by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

The ceiling prices will take effect on Sept 5.

At present, there are 11 brands of Covid-19 self-test kits that have been approved by the ministry for public use.

Out of the 11, seven test kits use saliva samples and four others use nasal swab samples.

The ceiling price will see a significant reduction in retail prices, as many of these kits are sold between RM28 to RM40.

In a press conference on Wednesday (Sept 1), Khairy said making self-test kits more affordable and accessible was part of the government’s plan to implement regular Covid-19 testing among the public.

This is part of the country’s strategy to move into the endemic phase.

Those selling these self-test kits above the ceiling price can be penalised under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

Individuals can be fined up to RM100,000, or imprisoned not more than three years, or both, for the offence. They could also be issued compound notices of up to RM50,000.

Companies are liable to a fine of RM500,000 or a compound notice of up to RM250,000.

In The Star’s report on Aug 25, consumer and health groups called on the government to make Covid-19 self-test kits more affordable.

The groups, while lauding the government’s efforts to encourage the public to self-test for Covid-19, said self-test kits should cost less.

KJ: Self-test kits’ ceiling price decision is final

PUTRAJAYA: The government’s decision to impose a ceiling price on Covid-19 self-test kits is final, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister said while the move had upset traders and suppliers, the government had to listen to consumers who found the uncontrolled price of self-test kits too high.

“I understand that in any decision, there will always be a side that will not be satisfied. In this case, traders and suppliers are the unsatisfied ones.

“But I and (Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister) Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi have chosen to side with consumers.

“Consumers had asked that the price of self-test kits be made more affordable, so we had to do that. The decision is made, so let’s move on,” Khairy told reporters at his ministry yesterday.

From Sept 5, the ceiling price of Covid-19 self-test kits will be RM16 for wholesale and RM19.90 for retail.

The Malaysian Pharmacists Society was among those that had cried foul over the government’s decision to set the ceiling price, which they claim was too sudden.

The group had asked for a longer grace period for sellers to clear their old stock or for a subsidy to be given to them.

Khairy, however, said the decision was final.

“You have to balance between the needs of traders and the public. If we give traders one month to clear their stock, the people will suffer.

“They have to pay RM40 for a self-test kit just for the traders to clear their stock. So, we had to make a decision, and that decision has been made,” he said.