KUALA BERANG – The public may see cheaper Covid-19 self-test kits by the end of the month to ease the ability of parents to get their children tested before in-person classes resume in stages, from October 3 onwards.
Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid was quoted by Bernama as saying that the announcement on new ceiling prices will be made public soon.
“The sale of the test kits will not be limited to pharmacies and clinics, but will instead be expanded to other business premises such as hypermarkets and mini markets.
“This will make it easier for the public because not only will they they cheaper, but they are also easy to find. Although the price reduction has not been finalised, the price will be affordable and not a burden.”
He said this after visiting a vaccination centre for the Orang Asli in Kg Sg Berua here with Terengganu health director Datuk Dr Kasemani Embong today.
Rosol, who is Hulu Terengganu MP, said the ministry held a meeting with representatives of several pharmaceutical operators’ associations and they agreed to reduce the price of the test kit as intended by the government.
“Although the current price is cheap, it is quite burdensome for parents, especially those whose children are still in school.
“If there are five children per family, the cost of the self-test kits will come up to RM100. The new price will not be a burden.
“The important thing is to do a test to make sure the child is healthy before returning to school.”
On September 5, the ministry capped the ceiling retail price of self-test kits at RM19.90 each, and the wholesale price of RM16 each. – The Vibes, September 25, 2021
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