NEW DELHI : The Indian Council of Medical Research has removed the price cap of ₹4,500 for the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test used to detect COVID-19, asking states and UTs to negotiate with private labs to fix "mutually agreeable" rates for the test.
In a letter to the state chief secretaries on Monday, ICMR Director General (D-G) Dr Balram Bhargava said the COVID-19 diagnostic supplies are stabilising because of the indigenous production of the kits. "In this backdrop and keeping in view the evolving prices of testing commodities, the earlier suggested upper ceiling of ₹4500 vide letter dated March 17, may not be applicable now," he said. "Therefore, all state governments/UT administrations are advised to negotiate