Cap on RT-PCR test rate to continue: Rajasthan health department

JAIPUR: Private diagnostic laboratories were demanding to increase the rate of RT-PCR tests for Covid-19 but investigation by the state government has concluded that Rs 350 per test fixed by it was fine.

A medical education department committee in cooperation with private diagnostic laboratories calculated that after including all expenses such as manpower, electricity bill, waste management machine maintenance and building maintenance, the cost of RT-PCR for diagnosis was Rs 208 per sample, while the diagnostic labs can charge up to Rs 350, with a profit of Rs 142.

Health department officials said that on April 17, due to falling prices of RT-PCR testing kit regimen, viral transport media kit and other consumables and their easy availability, the medical education department consulted experts in the SMS medical college and after consulting them, they had come to a conclusion that the rates of RT-PCR test can be brought down and taking action on their recommendation, the state government had put a capping of Rs350 per RT-PCR test at National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).

However, a private lab had challenged at High Court.

The High Court had issued interim order directing the education department to constitute a committee to address the complaints of the private diagnostic labs. On May 21, the medical education department had constituted a committee and soon the committee heard the grievances of the private laboratories.