The Consumer Council (CC) said in a statement that it conducted a survey yesterday on the prices of rapid antigen tests (RAT) kits for COVID-19 at 60 pharmacies.
The statement noted that the number of pharmacies covered by the survey was double the initial survey which was conducted last Friday. The statement added that both reports were published on the “Macao Price Information Platform” mobile app and website www.consumer.gov.mo for consumers’ reference and comparison so that they can check the prices of different RAT brands.
According to the report released on the “Macao Price Information Platform”, the prices for different brands of the rapid antigen test kits at the 60 pharmacies ranged from eight patacas to 39 patacas. Some of the brands, such as LIVZON from Zhuhai, had the lowest selling price of eight patacas while BANITORE from Hong Kong cost 39 patacas according to the list.
According to the statement, the council announced the latest survey report on the prices of RAT kits after the first report had covered just 30 pharmacies last Friday.
The statement pointed out that the council will continue to strengthen its surveys on the prices of the rapid antigen tests, in order to enhance market transparency, so as to meet consumers’ demand for updated price information.
The statement stressed that consumers can check the updated list on the city’s RAT kit stocks from the Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau’s (ISAF) website: www.isaf.gov.mo before buying rapid antigen tests from local pharmacies.
The council urged consumers to only buy RAT kits approved by the Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau from reputable pharmacies, adding that consumers should check whether the packaging is complete, as well as verify their validity and details on the packaging when they buy the kits. It also urged the public not to buy RAT kits from unknown sources, and to save the purchase receipts.
Concerning suspicious incidents, such as suspected product infringement, consumers can contact the Consumer Council by calling 8988 9315, or report their suspicions to the mobile app “Consumidor Online”.
This image provided by the Consumer Council (CC) yesterday shows QR codes that can be scanned to download the “Macao Price Information Platform” app.
