IGI lab says trying to cut rapid RT-PCR test cost

IGI lab says trying to cut rapid RT-PCR test cost

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 16.12.2021

Genestrings Diagnostics, which operates the Covid testing lab at the Delhi airport, said late on Wednesday that it had been trying “ways to reduce cost” of rapid RT-PCR tests. The statement came hours after the Maharashtra government came to international flyers’ rescue by getting the Mumbai airport authority to drop the rapid RT-PCR test charge from Rs 3,900 to Rs 1,975 from Wednesday.

“In line with the recent price capping in Karnataka and Maharashtra, we’re also working diligently with our equipment and kit suppliers to find ways to reduce cost,” Genestrings Diagnostics COO Chetan Kohli said. “The focus here is not on profitability, but rather feasibility and ensuring quality output. While a large proportion of costs goes in procurement of testing kits, there are unseen costs as well in case of an airport testing facility,” he added.

“We’re hopeful that as a natural progression of reduction in kit costs, which we have already witnessed in case of RT-PCR, we’ll also be able to bring down the costs considerably soon,” Kohli said.

A rapid RT-PCR at Delhi’s IGIA used to cost Rs 3,900 till last month before it was reduced to Rs 3,500. But it’s still the second highest charge among big Indian airports. The Hyderabad airport, also run by GMR Group like Delhi International Airport Ltd, has the highest rate at Rs 3,900 among the busy airports. The state-run Airports Authority of India has affordable test rates in Kolkata and Chennai.

Delhi airport sources said the Mumbai move followed a directive by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Kohli recently told TOI, “The rapid kits coming from Abbott India are very expensive, costing upwards of Rs 2,000. There has been a slight price reduction since the second wave. Abbott has not reduced prices (recently).”

An Abbott India spokesperson said on Wednesday, “Abbott’s ID NOW test is a fast molecular point-of-care rapid test that delivers reliable results when and where they’re needed. We work with distributors and partners... to make the product available. The price of ID NOW test is decided by the respective airport service providers in alignment with the state government authorities.”

For a family of four, taking a rapid RT-PCR test on arrival at IGIA means shelling out Rs 14,000. “It is like buying another ticket!” says Arti Saxena, a chef.