MANILA – President Rodrigo assured that swab testing in the country will soon be made affordable for Filipinos as he recently approved an executive order placing price caps on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing and test kits for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In his Executive Order No. 118, Duterte directed the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to ensure accessibility and affordability of COVID-19 tests and test kits.
The President also recognized the priority of the state to ensure that the general public, especially those from low- and middle-income households, will have an “equitable access” to quality and affordable healthcare services such as COVID-19 tests.
“The DOH, in coordination with the DTI, is hereby directed to determine, formulate, and implement a price range for COVID-19 testing conducted by hospitals, laboratories and other health establishments and facilities, included the test kits used in the conduct of said tests, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations,” the EO read.
“Both agencies must also ensure that the price range for COVID-19 testing and test kits is just, equitable and sensitive to all stakeholders,” it added.
Duterte’s EO furthered that compliance with the price range must form part of the standards and requirements for licensing and accreditation of hospitals, laboratories and other health establishments and facilities.
“The DOH shall release the appropriate issues directing all hospitals, laboratories, and other health establishments, and facilities with existing accreditation to operate a COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory, to observe the aforesaid price range. Failure to comply therewith may be considered as a ground for the revocation of existing licenses or accreditation,” the EO read.
The DOH must also institute measures to ensure that all accredited COVID-19 laboratories observe transparency in the pricing of tests, and ensure that the public is fully informed of the component costs of medical services and procedures relating to COVID-19.
The two agencies must also undertake continuous monitoring and review of the price and market supply of test kits and other basic medical items and supplies, and issue such price control measures and adjustments as necessary./PN
