SIBU, Sept 9: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has warned pharmacies that stern action will be taken against them starting Sept 13 if they are caught selling Covid-19 self-test kits above the set ceiling price of RM19.90.
The government has set the ceiling price of all 14 types of such test kits at RM19.90 each.
KPDNHEP Sibu branch chief Kelyn Bolhassan said today that the one-week grace period for pharmacies to comply will end this Sunday (Sept 12).
“We will be conducting checks next Monday. Stern action will be meted out to those caught selling above the ceiling price under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011,” he said when contacted today.
The Act provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 or an imprisonment term not exceeding three years or both, or a compound of RM50,000 for an individual. For companies, they can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000.
When told that there were shops still selling the items at the old price, he said pharmacists are given one week from Sept 5 to clear their old stock.
“Starting next Monday, the self-test kit must be sold at the new ceiling price,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the town is currently facing a shortage of the self-test kits due to high demand.
“There isn’t much stock left in the market as we found out from our recent checks,” he noted, adding that it was up to individual pharmacies to get them from their suppliers. — DayakDaily
