JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Health has set the highest limit rate for independent PCR swabs of Rp900 thousand.

However, this price is still very expensive for Indonesian citizens who need the test. In fact, it is much more expensive than India, which has set a price of Rp. 96 thousand.

The member of Commission IX DPR RI, Krisdayanti, also commented on the price comparison. He 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.

However, Krisdayanti explained several reasons for the different prices for polymerase chain reaction tests in different countries. The price difference, he 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 from investments related to infrastructure and laboratory facilities, health workers' safety aspects and others," said Krisdayanti. The reason is, the prices in each country are very different. "If India is now lowering prices, we must first see what PCR is used? the same type, each country can have different prices. After all, there are many local products whose prices are different between islands. BBM on the islands of Java and Papua is 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 be cheaper. Without compromising the quality and accuracy of the PCR test results themselves. Because produced domestically and not subject to tax as imported goods," said Krisdayanti.

Reporting from India Today, Thursday, August 12, the price of PCR tests in India fell from 800 rupees or around Rp. 150,000 to 500 rupees or Rp. 96 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 English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)