DOH lauded President Duterte’s directive implementing COVID-19 testing prices cap.
The Department of Health (DOH) lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to ensure affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 tests and test kits.
This, after President Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 118, series 2020 last November 4, 2020.
The said EO was signed following the recommendation of the Department of Health to implement a price ceiling on COVID-19 testing.
Also, the said EO ordered the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to determine, formulate, and implement a price range for COVID-19 testing — including the COVID-19 test kits used — conducted by laboratories, hospitals, and other health establishments and facilities, as licensed by the Department of Health.
The Department of Health made the recommendation in accordance with Section 7 of R.A. 7581 or the “Price Act” which provided that the President — upon recommendation of an implementing agency — may implement a price ceiling on any basic necessity or prime commodity during the existence or effects of an emergency or calamity.
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Furthermore, Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11494 stated that consistent with Article XII, Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution, when the public interest so required, the President during the effectivity of the Act, may direct the operation of any privately-owned hospitals and medical and health facilities.
The price regulation would cover both private and public hospitals, laboratories, and other health facilities licensed by the Department of Health to conduct COVID-19 testing.
Once approved, the implemented price ceiling of COVID-19 testing would form part of the requirements for licensing of laboratories, hospitals, and other health facilities as COVID-19 testing centers.
According to DOH Sec. Duque, the increasing cost of COVID-19 tests may prove unduly burdensome to the Filipino public in this difficult time given that there’s a pandemic and the prevailing state of a public health emergency.
“In protecting the public against hazards to health and safety, it becomes imperative to likewise ensure their protection against unfair and unconscionable prices of essential health services”, Sec. Duque said.
Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 118, series 2020, the Department of Health was coordinating with Department of Trade and Industry in diligently reviewing considerations and in drafting the implementing guidelines for determining the price range of COVID-19 test kits and testing.
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