The Competition Tribunal says in a statement Pathcare, Lancet and Ampath will drop these prices with immediate effect. 

Earlier this month, the three laboratories also agreed to reduce the prices of their Covid-19 PCR tests to a maximum of R500 from the previous price of R850.

Up until now, PathCare charged R230 for its Covid-19 rapid antigen test, while Lancet charged R350 and Ampath patients paid R290 since November.

“The R150 (VAT incl.) price is a maximum price cap and the laboratories may charge or negotiate a lower price. For as long as they provide COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, they also undertake to disclose the name of the test kit used to all consumers of these tests, so that they can identify the type of antigen test provided. This information should also be reflected on any test results,” reads the statement by the Tribunal.

The Competition Commission received a complaint from an official at the National Department of Health relating to the prices charged for Covid-19 rapid antigen tests and the Commission says an investigation revealed that the pathology groups have contravened the Competition Act by charging excessive pricing.  

“The three laboratories do not admit that they charged excessive or exorbitant prices in contravention of section 8(1)(a) of the Act, read together with Regulation 4 of the Consumer Protection Regulations. Nothing in the three consent agreements amounts to or should be construed as an admission of any facts, conduct, liability or wrongdoing by PathCare, Lancet or Ampath,” concludes the statement.

Jacaranda FM