The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab (“Department”), has through an Order dated 23rd September, 2020 issued the capping of rates for COVID 19 treatment in private laboratories in the State. The prices are fixed as follows:
i. RT-PCR test for COVID-19:- Not more than Rs. 1600/-, inclusive of GST/Taxes, documentation and reporting in the State of Punjab
ii. TrueNat Test for COVID-19:- Not more than Rs. 2000/-. inclusive of GST/Taxes, documentation and reporting in the State of Punjab
iii. Cbnaat test for COVID-19: Not more than Rs. 2400/-, inclusive of GST/Taxes, documentation and reporting in the State of Punjab
It is also specified that any additional cost for home collection of samples is to be fixed by individual laboratory.
Further, the private laboratories must adhere to the following:
• All the testing protocols as laid down by ICMR and the Government of India and the State Government from time to time must be followed by the Private Laboratories.
• The Private Laboratories must share the data pertaining to the results of tests for COVI D-19 with State Government and uploaded on ICMR portal on timely basis.
• At the time of sampling, the identification, address and verified mobile number of the person, who is being tested, must be noted for record, as per sample referral form (SRF).
• The data should be uploaded on the RT-PCR app at the time of taking the sample. The test report should be communicated to the patient immediately after the testing is complete.
• All test results must be immediately communicated to the Civil Surgeon of the concerned district through e-mail with a copy to State IDSP cell of Punjab.
• All the private NABL & ICMR approved laboratories must ensure that information of the patient is maintained with utmost confidentiality. All the private COVID¬19 testing laboratories must preserve the RT-PCR machine generated data and graphs for future verification by the State Government.
• The laboratories must also display the specified rates in a visible manner.
The previous Order on price capping for COVID-19 testing in the State is superseded.
Source : Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab
