New Delhi, May 27 -- Removing the price cap of Rs 4,500 for the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test used to detect COVID-19, the Indian Council of Medical Research has asked the 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, "In this backdrop and keeping in view the evolving prices of testing commodities, the earlier suggested upper ceiling of Rs 4500 vide letter dated March 17, may not be applicable now."
He further added, "Therefore, all state governments/UT administrations are advised to negotiate with private labs and fix up mutually agreeable prices for samples being ...