THE government is reviewing the ceiling price of Covid-19 self-test kits sold over the counter, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi told Parliament today. 

He said that the government will need to consider all aspects before reviewing the current ceiling price for the test kits. 

“The government is looking into the need to review the maximum ceiling price for the Covid-19 rapid antigen self-testing kits. 

“The ministry will take into account the views of all parties before coming to a conclusion, so that their interests will be protected,” he said in reply to a question from Cha Kee Chin (Rasah-PH) about the necessity of test kits.

Last year, the government had announced the ceiling price would be RM19.90 per kit, or RM16 for wholesale purchases.

On November 1, Nanta was reported saying that the ministry had permitted kits to be sold at a lower price of RM6.90 per kit.

In the meantime, Nanta also welcomed Cha’s proposal to set a ceiling price for oximeters and temperature scanners.

“On the part of the ministry, the pricing of the devices will be implemented if there is a need,” he said. 

However, Nanta said there is no need to review the current ceiling prices for face masks, adding that the current retail ceiling price for single-layer face masks was set at 7 sen apiece, while the cost of two-ply and three-ply face masks was 20 sen and 70 sen apiece, respectively.

“Some are selling facemasks lower than the maximum price set, so there is no need now to review the existing maximum price.” he said. – March 10, 2022.