PATHCARE, one of the three biggest pathology laboratory companies in the country, said yesterday it had joined its other two major competitors, Ampath and Lancet, in agreeing to drop the prices for PCR Covid-19 tests to R500 from R850.
On Sunday the Competition Commission announced it had reached agreement with Ampath and Lancet, while negotiations were still ongoing with Pathcare, to lower the price following a three month investigation by the commission that uncovered excessive profiteering and abuse of a block exemption from competition laws by the pathology laboratory companies that had been granted to healthcare service providers in terms of emergency legislation to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“At PathCare, patient care always comes first, and PathCare remains committed to delivering its patient-focused, values-based care using trusted technology, and in line with what is in the best interests of the country, its clients, its employees, and fellow South Africans,” Pathcare chief executive Dr John Douglass said in a statement yesterday.
BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE