THE Interministerial Commission on Drug Prices, a collegiate body of the Ministry of Health, which includes other ministries and autonomous communities, will today limit the maximum price of antigen self-diagnostic test.
The Commission will meet in an extraordinary meeting from 10:00 a.m. to set a maximum price for these tests, which since before Christmas have linked weeks of maximum sales due to the escalation of coronavirus cases, which has stressed the market to the point of reflect on its cost.
Antigen tests weeks of peak sales amid escalating coronavirus cases
If it was not done before, according to the executive, it is because before that it was necessary to solve the scarcity problem.
“The debate we had before or during this Christmas was mainly about offering these tests; there was an exponential increase in demand, but not in supply. This issue is now resolved; now we will be able to control the price of the antigen test”, he said. Pedro Sanchez announcing this measure last Monday.
Lower the price “as much as possible”
According to the consumer association Facua, the lack of these self-diagnostic tests has led to price increases of up to one hundred percent; By analyzing 150 pharmacies in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Valencia and Vitoria, he found prices that fluctuated between 4.95 and 10 euros.
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño, indicated yesterday that the intention is to lower the price “as much as possible because it is a basic necessity”
The Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, nadia calvino ─one of the departments that make up the Interministerial─ indicated yesterday that the intention is to lower the price “as much as possible because it is a basic need”, although “the communities have different approaches”.
“Now is the time, we need to fix prices. I bought it at 7-8 euros and it can’t be. In addition to reducing VAT, we must ensure that producers and intermediaries do not experience extraordinary benefits”.
The PP requested that the price it sets be 2 euros and that these tests be considered free for those who cannot pay them due to their income level, while Ciudadanos would applaud the liberalization of sales in supermarkets at a price between 2 or 3 euros.
Test sales release
From the Executive, they maintain that the liberalization of sales is not on the table, first of all, as a matter of security.
Large distribution chains insist on offering the sale of antigen tests to facilitate their distribution among citizens and help fight infections.
But large distribution chains such as Alcampo, Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, Ikea or MediaMarkt insist on offering the sale of antigen tests to facilitate their distribution among citizens and help fight the tsunami of infections derived from omicron.
According to the National Association of Large Distribution Companies (Riled up), which also includes Apple Retail, Bricomart, C&A, Conforama, Costco, Eroski, FNAC, Leroy Merlin, Tendam, Toys`R`Us, Sarton, Worten and Dufry, this measure “would allow the mass distribution of the tests and lower the cost substantially the price”.
Meanwhile, the General Council of Pharmaceutical Faculties applauded that the price is finally capped because it will put an end to the “excessive” cost increases and market tensions that these professionals have also been “victims of”.
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