Govt lowers price cap for RT-PCR test

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 2) — The government has lowered the price cap for RT-PCR test for detecting COVID-19 infection.

On Aug. 26, the Department of Health issued a circular providing a price cap for the "gold standard" in testing effective Sept. 6:

- Public laboratories: ₱2,800 for plate-based and ₱2,450 for cartridge-based GeneXpert

- Private laboratories: ₱3,360 for plate-based and ₱2,940 for GeneXpert

- Home service: Additional ₱1,000 for plate-based and GeneXpert

The DOH also said testing centers can go lower but not exceed the price cap.

Local government units still offer free swab testing.

In November last year, the price ranged from ₱3,800 to ₱5,000.

The Philippine Red Cross, meanwhile, announced that it will bring down the prices of swab and saliva tests starting Sept. 4.

The charge for RT-PCR test will be reduced from ₱3,800 to ₱2,800, while saliva test will go down from ₱2,000 to ₱1,500.