Covid-19: Govt sets ceiling price for Sinovac, Sinopharm vaccines

PETALING JAYA: The government has set a ceiling price for private sales of Covid-19 vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm.

The wholesale ceiling price of the vaccine from Sinovac is RM62 and RM77 for customers, while the wholesale ceiling price for the Sinopharm vaccine is RM48 and RM61 for customers.

In a joint statement on Thursday (Jan 13), Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the ceiling price would come into effect on Jan 15 under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and enforced by the Health Ministry’s Pharmaceutical Enforcement Division.

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The ceiling price would not include the service charge or charges on disposable items incurred during the administration of the vaccines.

Individuals found guilty face a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both, along with compound notices of up to RM50,000 if found guilty.

Similarly, companies found guilty face a penalty of up to RM500,000, or issued a compound notice of up to RM250,000.

Both Khairy and Nanta said that the ceiling price was implemented based on the price of importing the vaccines along with their current market values.

“The prices of Covid-19 vaccines will be continuously studied and improved or altered based on the market and current demands.

“It is also compulsory for private health facilities who have obtained approval from the government to offer private purchase vaccination services to display their prices.

“This will allow the public to perform price comparisons and obtain the vaccines at affordable prices,” they said.

The government has also prepared avenues for the public to lodge complaints regarding the price of vaccines.

The public may also make complaints on companies or individuals who are found breaking the law through the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) of the Health Ministry at moh.spab.gov.my