HC refuses to stay govt’s order to cap RTPCR test rate at Rs 500

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to impose a stay on government order reducing the price of RTPCR test for detecting Covid-19, from Rs 1,700 to Rs 500 for private laboratories. The court ruled on a petition filed by the lab owners seeking to stay the order.

The court while hearing the petition filed by 10 private laboratories challenging government's decision to cap the price, said the decision by the state government is based on market research.

Justice N Nagaresh, who is overseeing the matter, said, "It was discernible from data that costs of RTPCR test which includes taking nose and throat swabs ranged from Rs 135 to Rs 250."

Earlier, the high court had directed the state government to regularise rates and ensure fixed charges for treatment of COVID patients across all hospitals after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to control overcharging by private hospitals.

As per the union health ministry, Kerala currently has 3,91,253 active COVID-19 cases.