Drilon welcomes PhilHealth’s P4,210 COVID-19 test package price reduction

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon welcomed PhilHealth's decision to lower its COVID-19 test package price by 50 percent, but insists the agency should peg it at a much lower rate.

The PhilHealth reduced its COVID-19 test package price from P8,150 to P4,210 after Drilon questioned the higher rate, citing concerns over potential wastage of taxpayers' money.

Drilon believes the price should be P3,500, the amount PhilHealth pays to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), which has conducted 45 percent of COVID-19 tests in the country.

PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales stated the agency is reviewing its benefit packages and will release new, lower test rates next week.

Drilon expressed that the issue serves as a lesson for PhilHealth and the government to be vigilant against corrupt practices, especially during a pandemic.

He suggested that PhilHealth should consider reducing the cost further, even noting that some institutions can perform tests for as low as P2,000.