IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – The Director-General of Health Services at the Health Ministry, Abdul Kadir, has denied allegations of a conflict of interest in the determination of the price ceiling for polymerase chain reaction or PCR tests.
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) conveyed suspicion of potential conflict of interest in the high prices of the swab tests since Abdul Kadir held a concurrent position as the President Commissioner of state-run pharmaceutical firm Kimia Farma.
“I’ve only been appointed as commissioner for only three months. So when people say I had an intention, for example, to slow down the decrease in PCR test prices, I have just been appointed. There is no conflict of interest,” Kadir told Tempo on Friday, August 20.
Kadir inked Circular No. HK.02.02/I/3713/2020 that set the price ceiling of PCR tests at Rp900,000 on October 5, 2020. The government decided to lower the price cap to Rp495,000 a few days ago. He was appointed as President Commissioner of Kimia Farma on April 28, 2021.
Kadir explained the test prices could be slashed because the reagent prices on the market had started to plummet. “This is not only applied to Kimia Farma but all laboratories and hospitals. It has no relation with my position,” he said.
The evaluation was carried out in tandem with the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) by considering service costs and the test examinations. However, Kadir stopped short of detailing the cost of each component, saying it was confidential. “So once again, the Health Ministry does not calculate the price, but BPKP,” he said.
Read: ICW Alleges Conflict of Interest in High PCR Test Prices
DEWI NURITA
