HEALTH DEPARTMENT PUTS PRICE CAP ON CORONA TESTS AT PRIVATE LABS

The Haryana health department on Friday fixed prices for rapid antigen and immunoglobulinenzyme linked immunosorbent assay (IGG-ELISA) tests conducted by the private laboratories for detection of coronavirus antigen and antibodies.

In an order issued on Friday by additional chief secretary, health, Rajeev Arora, the price for rapid antigen test was fixed at ₹650 per test and that of IGG-ELISA was fixed at ₹250 per test.

The department had in June fixed ₹2,400 for conducting the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for detection of coronavirus infection by private labs. While nasal and throat swab samples are taken for the rapid antigen and RT-PCR tests, the IGG-ELISA test is a blood-based examination for detection of immunoglobulin antibodies.

ACS Arora said the decision to cap the test prices was made on the advice of the experts, after taking the cost of testing kits and consumables into account and on the basis of precedents in other states.