Responding To Circulating Photos Of PCR Test Rates Again Rising To IDR 900,000, Kimia Farma Boss: It's Been Down According To President Jokowi's Instructions

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The virtual world was enlivened by the circulation of a photo of a letter from PT Kimia Farma Tbk with a narrative that the price of the PCR test had returned to IDR 900 thousand, as it was before the order of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to be lowered. The photo contains two letters with the same date, August 16, 2021.

Meanwhile, the first letter contained information where the price of the PCR test fell from IDR 900 thousand to IDR 500 thousand. In the second letter, the price of PCR is set at IDR 900 thousand.

"One day, two letters. The first letter is according to the President's instructions, the price of the PCR test is lowered. The second letter is according to the direction of the shareholders, so the price of the PCR test will return to its original state," reads a statement from the circulating image quoted by VOI, Wednesday, August 18.

In response to this information, President Director of PT Kimia Farma Tbk Verdi Budidarmo said that the price of PCR as of August 16 still applies normally. Then, starting August 17, the PCR tariff will be reduced according to government regulations by IDR 495 thousand.

Verdi said that his party immediately carried out the Ministry of Health's decision on reducing the rate/price of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests based on the Circular of the Director-General of Health Services No. HK.02.02/I/2824/2021 concerning the Highest Tariff Limit for Reserve Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) examination which is effective from Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

"Kimia Farma immediately implemented the government's directive on reducing PCR test rates as a form of our commitment to provide the best service for the people of Indonesia", he said in a written statement, Wednesday, August 18.

According to Verdi, this will make it easier for the public to access COVID-19 tests, which will lead to an overall improvement in Indonesia's health climate.

Meanwhile, Plt. President Director of PT Kimia Farma Diagnostika (KFD) Agus Chandra will carry out orders to reduce the price of PCR tests as well as possible.

"In addition to lowering the price of the PCR test by IDR 495,000, we have also reduced the rate/price of swab/rapid antigen tests", he said.

Agus said professionalism will apply to all Kimia Farma clinics that carry out PCR tests and antigen swabs. Kimia Farma is ready to assist the government in conducting examinations or testing for COVID-19.

Here are the latest price details:

PCR swab test

- IDR 495 thousand

Antigen swabs

- IDR 85 thousand (regular)

- IDR 125 thousand (Abbott Panbio)