Putrajaya is considering a new ceiling price for Covid-19 self-test kits, according to Dewan Rakyat.
According to the Dewan Rakyat, the government is looking into the necessity to revise the ceiling price for Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits (Self-Test Kits) on the market, which are currently one of the people’s necessities.
Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, said the Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit (RTK) was gazetted as a regulated item under the Control of Supplies Order 2021 on Nov 24 and was implemented on Dec 1 to ensure enough supply in the market.
The government always considers the requirements and interests of consumers, particularly in terms of market supply and procuring face masks and self-test kits at reasonable costs.
As a result, my ministry’s Enforcement Division conducts enforcement, inspection, and monitoring on relevant items at all levels, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and traders, he said during Ministers’ Question Time.
He mentioned this in response to a query from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) about whether the ministry will evaluate and lower ceiling pricing for face masks and Covid-19 self-test kits, as well as set ceiling prices for oximeters and thermometers, which are currently critical commodities.
Nanta indicated that if required, he would execute Cha’s recommendation of setting a ceiling price for oximeters and thermometers.
In response to a follow-up question about the government’s efforts to regulate the quality of products such as face masks and Self-Test Kits on the market, Nanta said the ministry was looking into it to make sure the quality was up to medical standards.
We keep an eye on not just the pricing, but also the quality (standards). We are investigating the situation and will publish quality criteria later.
In the case of the Covid-19 Test Kit, the MDA (Medical Device Authority) of the Ministry of Health has control over it (medical standard). As a result, he said, his ministry would continue to cooperate with the MDA to keep a close eye on the situation to ensure that the devices (on the market) are of high quality.
