Rebate relief for pharmacies in self-test kit issue

 

The new ceiling prices for self-test kits have been set at RM16 a unit (wholesale) and RM19.90 a unit (retail), down from the old prices of between RM28 and RM41.

PETALING JAYA: Pharmacists who have been complaining that the ceiling price of Covid-19 self-test kits had been announced “suddenly” and had caught them unawares, can breathe a little easier now.

Some medical suppliers have agreed to give rebates to community pharmacists, the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) said.

This comes following the new ceiling prices set by the government with the wholesale price fixed at RM16 a unit and retail price at RM19.90 a unit.

The ceiling prices will take effect from Sept 5. Presently, the self-test kits in the market are priced from RM28 to RM41.

MPS president Amrahi Buang said, following the announcement on the ceiling price, pharmacies were upset because it had made it impossible for them to clear existing stock which they had bought at old rates.

However, he assured pharmacies that there would be rebates by suppliers.

“They (suppliers) actually responded to the issue, saying they will give rebates to pharmacies that sell the Covid-19 test kits,” he told a town hall session with MPS members and community pharmacists.

Earlier today, Putrajaya had defended its new ceiling prices for Covid-19 self-test kits, saying the ruling was not done in a hurry.

In a statement, domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Alexander Nanta Linggi denied that the decision was done in a rush and said the price control was aimed at ensuring that the self-test kits were affordable for the public.

He said the ministry took over a month to reach the decision after consultations with local industry players, relevant agencies and manufacturers, among others.

Amrahi however said that, while there were discussions and engagements with the relevant stakeholders, the ceiling price had never been finalised during the discussions.

“There were discussions about the need for price control to ensure the kits are affordable to the public but we never finalised the actual figures,” he added.

Meanwhile, Subang MP Wong Chen who attended the town hall session advised MPS to voice out its concerns to the relevant Parliament committee instead of trying to engage with the ministry directly.

“If the government overlooked your calls, engage with a parliamentary committee instead. If they (committee) agree with your concerns, they will bring the matter to the relevant ministry during a Parliament session,” he added. - FMT