JAKARTA - The government, through the Ministry of Health, has set the highest limit rate for independent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swabs of Rp900 thousand. The number is considered still expensive for the wider community.
The price set by the Ministry of Health is even more expensive than in India, which fixes a price of Rp96 thousand. The member of Commission IX of the DPR RI, Krisdayanti, also commented on the price comparison.
She suggested that the Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin evaluate the procurement system for medical devices (alkes) in Indonesia. "My advice is to give input to the Minister of Health, I hope that the government and related parties will review the medical equipment procurement system," said Krisdayanti, Friday, August 13.
Nevertheless, Krisdayanti explained several reasons for the different prices for the PCR test in different countries. The price difference, she said, was influenced by the brand of the PCR equipment and the reagents used. "There are several factors that cause the price of PCR tests to be relatively different and expensive, one of which is the brand of the PCR equipment, the brand of Reagents, the PCR facilities are also expensive. Starting from investment related to infrastructure and laboratory facilities, health aspects of health, and others," said Krisdayanti. This is because prices vary from country to country. "If India now lowers prices, we must first see what PCR is used? When we compare brands, facilities, etc., but there is still a price difference, there is a lot to be calculated."
"One product with the same brand and type can have a different price for each country. After all, there are many local products which prices are different between islands. The fuel prices on the islands of Java and Papua are different. Moreover, comparing the prices of health facilities between countries," explained the PDIP politician.
Therefore, Krisdayanti encourages the Ministry of Health to maximize domestic production so that it can reduce prices. "Equipment for PCR tests no longer needs to be imported. Thus, the price of PCR tests can be reduced to a lower price."
"Without reducing the quality and accuracy of the PCR test results themselves. Because they are produced domestically and are not subject to tax, they are imported as imported goods," said Krisdayanti.
How much does PCR cost in India?
Photo illustration (Source: Antara)
Reporting from India Today, Thursday, August 12, the price of PCR tests in India fell from 800 rupees or around Rp150,000 to 500 rupees or Rp96 thousand based on today's exchange rate. with the lure of faster results. The time period for PCR test results varies.
Some are 24 hours, but some have to wait a few days. The chairman of Commission IX of the DPR RI, the PDIP faction, Charles Honoris, also highlighted the difference in the price of the PCR test, which is far from India. He considered the current price of PCR tests in Indonesia to be burdensome.
"Of course we hope that the Indonesian people can also get a PCR swab test facility at an affordable price like in India. Currently, the price of a PCR swab test is considered burdensome for many people. The price comparison is also very far between India and Indonesia," said Charles, Friday, 13 August.
Learn from India
Charles said the government should study what the Indian government was doing. One of them is related to the issue of incentives for PCR equipment manufacturers. "For example, maybe by providing incentives for PCR swab equipment manufacturers so that the selling price can be cheaper or other strategies. Especially now that PCR swabs are used as a provision to carry out various activities," said Charles.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of Commission IX DPR PKB Faction Nihayatul Wafiroh asked the government to lower the price of PCR tests. "The price of our PCR is still very expensive for our PCR, so I agree to reduce the PCR," said Nihayatul, Friday, August 13.
She suspects the high price of PCR tests in Indonesia because PCR test kits are imported from abroad. According to her, Indonesia needs to be passive in producing its own PCR test kits. "We can empower domestic products according to Mr. Jokowi's orders. We also reduce the existing budget so that PCR can be affordable, we know people are very objectionable," said Nihayatul. PCR is not expensive, replace it with domestic products so that costs can be reduced," she continued.
She also hoped that the government would no longer need to import PCR test kits from abroad and rely more on local products.
"If possible, the product is local. However, if the local product is not competitive enough in terms of price, then the import policy can be used as an alternative," said Nihayatul.
Then, another member of the House of Representatives Commission IX, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, urged the government to compare the prices of PCR tests in other countries. One of them is with India, where the price for one PCR test is less than Rp100,000. One PCR is around Rp900 thousand, while in India it is only around Rp96 thousand," said Saleh. Because the problem of price is no longer an obstacle for residents. "So far, the number of people who have done the test is very limited. One of the reasons is the price is too high. Not everyone can reach it. As a result, only people who really need administrative equipment carry out tests. Say, for example, people traveling through the airport need to show PCR results," said Saleh.
*Read other information about COVID-19 or read other interesting articles from Nailin In Saroh.
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