Malaysia Consumer Movement vice-president Beninder Johl said the health ministry must clarify the confusion over the rates for Covid-19 tests as consumers need certainty in pricing, which would help them make an informed purchase decision.

“It will be a great move if a set ceiling price is announced. The rakyat will then know the actual price and not be taken for a ride with additional hidden charges. It has to be made clear what one can expect in getting themselves tested,” he told FMT.

He said the hidden charges might be one of the causes for the public shying away from getting tested because they are afraid of getting charged exorbitant prices.

Health minister Dr Adham Baba had said in May that the price of private Covid-19 tests in the peninsula had been capped at RM150 for RT-PCR tests, RM60 for RTK-Antigen tests and RM50 for RTK-Antibody tests, while the ceiling prices in Sabah and Sarawak are RM200, RM80 and RM70 respectively.

However, the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia said that the price control only covered the laboratory cost and not fees charged for obtaining samples, cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) and consultation. The association said private hospitals would decide the final price for Covid-19 tests, “which will include the laboratory charges and other costs for the public to choose”.

Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the ceiling price of Covid-19 tests should be determined by the government and not by private health facilities.

However a lawyer, P S Ranjan, has questioned the validity of the government’s price controls.

He said the Emergency Ordinance did not contain specific enough provisions for price control of private Covid-19 tests while the law on private healthcare facilities did not provide for price controls on private hospitals and doctors’ fees and charges for Covid-19 tests.

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