THE Health, and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministries today announced a ceiling price for two private purchase vaccines administered at healthcare facilities.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said in a joint statement that the price for Covid-19 vaccines offered at private healthcare facilities is still high and varied according to each outlet.

They announced that the maximum wholesale price for Sinovac is RM62 and the retail ceiling price is RM77. Meanwhile, for the Sinopharm vaccine, the maximum wholesale price is RM49 while retail is RM61.

“The enforcement of the order will be executed fully by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.

“The ceiling price will come into effect on January 15 under the Price Control And Anti-Profiteering Act.

“The maximum retail price does not include service and disposable items, or charges for administering the jab,” they said.

Khairy and Nanta added that the maximum price was set according to the import and market price of the vaccine.

All private healthcare facilities offering private-purchase vaccinations will have to get the government’s approval and are required to display the price for transparency.

“This will enable the public to make price comparisons and procure Covid-19 vaccines of their choice at a reasonable rate,” they said.

Individuals will be subject to an on-the-spot compound of RM50,000, which could rise to RM100,000 if it goes to court, or up to three years in prison, or both for exceeding the ceiling price.

Companies face a compound of RM250,000 or a court fine of up to RM500,000.

The public can also channel their complaints through the Health Ministry’s complaints system. – January 13, 2022.