COVID-19 self-test kits cheaper, prices will stay 'competitive', say retailers

SINGAPORE: Prices of COVID-19 self-test kits have fallen, some by about half, from three months in the past, with two retailers saying that the lower is right here to stay.Abbott's Panbio antigen self-test is now promoting at S$5.95 a field at Guardian and Watson's pharmacies, as an alternative of the S$13 it was priced at earlier than.A Guardian spokesperson mentioned that different manufacturers are additionally cheaper, with Standard Q at S$5.70 a bit (was S$7.50) and the QuickVue model at S$18.60 for 2 items, down from S$21.40.The spokesperson mentioned that the prices of antigen speedy check (ART) kits are depending on a variety of provide facet elements, corresponding to differing value buildings, foreign money alternate charges and market wants."Moving forward, the prices of ART kits may decrease further as more options become available in the market."Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had mentioned in mid-November that folks can count on to purchase antigen speedy check kits at decrease prices quickly.Watsons Singapore at the moment carries three manufacturers of ART kits: Quidel QuickVue, Abbott Panbio and SD Biosensor. SD Biosensor is now S$5.70, the place it was once greater than S$10."On an average, the per unit price of ART kit currently is close to S$6," it mentioned.