PETALING JAYA: The government is currently studying the need to review the ceiling price of Covid-19 Antigen rapid test kits (self-test kits), says Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

       Nanta said the government has gazetted self test kits as a controlled item under the Control of Supplies Order 2021 on Nov 24, 2021, and was enforced on Dec 1, 2021 to ensure adequate supply in the market.

       He pointed out that the maximum price for the self-test kits is currently set at RM19 at the retail level and at RM16 at the wholesale level under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

       “The government always takes into consideration the needs and interests of consumers, especially from the aspect of the adequacy of supply in the market as well as in getting face masks and self-test kits at prices that are not burdensome,” he said when replying to a question raised by Cha Kee Chin (PH – Parit) in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (March 10).

       Cha had asked whether the Ministry would review and reduce the ceiling prices of face masks and Covid-19 self-test kits, as well as ceiling prices for oximeters and thermometers which are considered essential items due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Nanta said that the controlled price for oximeters and thermometers would be considered if there is a need for it.

       On ensuring the quality of face masks that are being sold in the market, Nanta said the Ministry is also looking at imposing a minimum standard for face masks.

       He said this was to ensure the quality of face masks are of medical standard, which is of three layers.

       Alexander said to ensure price stability and the availability of the supply of face mask in the country, the Ministry had gazetted face masks as a controlled item under the Control of Supply Act 1961 and had set the maximum price for these face masks under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Order 2020 on Nov 1, 2020.

       Currently, he said the retail maximum price for a one-layer, two-layer, three-layer face mask is set at seven sen, 20 sen and 70 sen per unit, respectively.