States start imposing price caps on Covid-19 tests done by private labs

Industry feels it is time to discuss the cost of the tests with Indian Council of Medical Research so that quality isn't compromised

The Karnataka government on Friday fixed the price for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) tests at Rs 2,250 for samples it sends to private laboratories.

According to a circular issued by the state health and family welfare department, private labs have to share data on the diagnosis of Covid-19 with the state government and ICMR on a real-time basis. The state government will, however, not provide any testing kits or other accessories to the private labs. 

It has so far approved 11 government and five private labs in