Indonesia Prevents Covid-19 Swab Test from Unwanted Business Interests: Health Ministry

Previously, Nadia said the cost of the Covid-19 swab test was higher as it was affected by its limited stocks in the market. It also happened to the prices of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) at the beginning of the pandemic last year. However, the conditions have been gradually improved after more masks and PPE were produced in the country.

The reagents for PCR swab test were only produced by less than 30 producers in Indonesia previously compare to 200 types of PCR swab reagents following the permits from the ministry now.

“This means that the producers are competing in the variations and prices for the components of PCR swab reagents.”

The need for PCR swab tests is driven by the increase in specimen examination in the country, where the positivity rate is below 0.4 percent of the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“The sooner confirmed cases are detected, the sooner they can be separated from the healthy ones and this can prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” she added.

(Writer: Dian Erika Nugraheny | Editor: Kristian Erdianto)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/11/08/06003601/kemenkes-evaluasi-harga-tes-pcr-untuk-menutup-masuknya-kepentingan-bisnis?page=all#page2.