TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Ministry’s Directorate General of Health Services announced the price ceiling for the Covid-19 rapid antigen test has been lowered again.

In Java and Bali, the test price cap is set at Rp99,000, while for outside Java-Bali, it is Rp109,000. The provision is stipulated in the Ministerial Circular No. HK.02.02/I/4611/2021.

Director-General of Health Services, Abdul Kadir, explained the price determination is based on the price listed in the e-catalog.

“The cost of the rapid antigen test is determined through joint discussions between the Health Ministry and the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), in accordance with the evaluation results on the calculation of the test service and examination cost,” said Abdul in a press conference on Wednesday, September 1.

Abdul added that components evaluated in determining the test price cap included the service costs or human resources, consumables, such as reagents and coveralls, as well as administrative overhead.

Meanwhile, according to Faisal who is the BPKP Deputy for Security and Defense Supervision, the calculation was based on the drop in market prices for the materials used in the rapid antigen test. “Particularly for the price of rapid antigen and consumables such as PPE. We consider the market price and adjust it to the e-catalog,” he said.

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SRI RAHMA