MUMBAI: With the cost of production of the test kit falling after Maharashtra eased lockdown rules, the state government further lowered the fees for Covid-19 RT-PCR tests performed by private laboratories. According to the government’s decision, the charges for collecting test samples from the collection sites have been reduced to Rs 1,200 from Rs 1,900 (which was fixed last month).
Collecting samples from kiosks, Covid-19 care collection centers, hospitals, clinics, laboratory quarantine centers will now cost Rs 1,600 versus Rs 2,200 before.
Fees for collecting patient samples from their residence, their transportation, analysis and presentation of samples have been reduced to 2,000 rupees from 2,500 rupees, the government said.
The government said the revised charges include all taxes.
The government took the step after a committee created by it to decide the fees charged by private laboratories presented its report.
The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a widely used laboratory technique in the diagnosis of genetic diseases and to measure gene expression in research.
No private laboratory can charge patients beyond these fees, the government clarified.
The government said industries have resumed operations under its Mission Begin Again initiative in the state and that VTM and PPE kits, N95 masks, and RNA extraction kits are now available at reasonable prices.
In addition, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has allowed several new companies to produce these drugs / equipment, which has led to their availability, which has caused a drop in costs.
The number of laboratories approved by the ICMR and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has also increased.
Taking all of these factors into account, the charges for the RT-PCR test were required to drop, the government said. ENM RSY RSY
Collecting samples from kiosks, Covid-19 care collection centers, hospitals, clinics, laboratory quarantine centers will now cost Rs 1,600 versus Rs 2,200 before.
Fees for collecting patient samples from their residence, their transportation, analysis and presentation of samples have been reduced to 2,000 rupees from 2,500 rupees, the government said.
The government said the revised charges include all taxes.
The government took the step after a committee created by it to decide the fees charged by private laboratories presented its report.
The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a widely used laboratory technique in the diagnosis of genetic diseases and to measure gene expression in research.
No private laboratory can charge patients beyond these fees, the government clarified.
The government said industries have resumed operations under its Mission Begin Again initiative in the state and that VTM and PPE kits, N95 masks, and RNA extraction kits are now available at reasonable prices.
In addition, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has allowed several new companies to produce these drugs / equipment, which has led to their availability, which has caused a drop in costs.
The number of laboratories approved by the ICMR and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has also increased.
Taking all of these factors into account, the charges for the RT-PCR test were required to drop, the government said. ENM RSY RSY
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