KUCHING: A study is ongoing to determine the ceiling price for Covid-19 swab tests at health facilities.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said presently there was no ceiling price for the services.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Health (MOH) would advise his ministry on the matter.
“Currently, there is no price control for the service. We are waiting for the MOH to advise us then we will have consultations on the matter,” he said on Sunday (Sept 5).
Nanta noted that the ceiling price for other medical devices such as the oximeter which is used for Covid-19 self-monitoring was also being looked into.
He said that the ministry has not considered removing the ceiling price for face masks as yet. The ministry was satisfied that face masks were being sold at low prices given that it is a necessity under current situation.
“We have no issues with it. In fact, there are businesses who sell the face masks at 20 sen per unit instead of 70 sen ceiling price.
“There is no decision to end the ceiling price for the face masks because we do not know what the situation will be like in the future. If there is no ceiling price and the situation is bad, there might be issues involving supply and demand.
“We are working together with the MOH to ensure that we can help both the sellers and consumers because they are paramount. This is the principle that we hold onto,” he added.
