COVID-19 Antigen self-test kits which were initially sold at RM39.90 will have their price set to RM19.90 beginning September 5.
The government had planned for the controlled item to be sold at a reasonable price but the decision has been further reviewed to significantly reduce the pricing.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin posted via Twitter that the ceiling price for retail is RM19.90 while the wholesale price is RM16.00 a unit. This announcement was made jointly with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Lingg.
The ceiling price was imposed under the provisions of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Besides that, the Health Minister also said that the government is exploring bulk-buy options to help bring down the price further, especially for the underprivileged groups.
Khairy added that they are working to provide the COVID-19 self-test kit for free to B40 families and economically deprived groups.
Any companies or individuals caught selling the test kits beyond the legal maximum price would face legal action. Individuals can be fined up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of not more than three years (or both), or issued a compound of up to RM50,000. Meanwhile, companies can be fined up to RM500,000 or pay RM250,000 worth of compounds.
Gisele Soo
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