Procon inspects abusive prices of Covid tests in laboratories and pharmacies

Procon-SP held this Monday (17) a task force to inspect laboratories and pharmacies for abusive prices of Covid-19 tests. The action takes place in conjunction with the State Department of Health throughout the state of São Paulo.

According to a note published on the entity’s official website, the operation takes place after reports from consumers regarding the increase in prices amid a high in demands and also fulfills a determination of Governor João Doria (PSDB).

On January 13, Doria posted on social media about the task force’s determination and stated that “we will not tolerate unscrupulous manipulation of the population’s anguish in the pandemic”.

Fernando Capez, executive director of Procon-SP, says that, on Monday, the task force inspected approximately one hundred establishments.

“Many of them did not even inform the price of the test, the person only knew at the time of collection. This is a violation of consumer information rights, as it is the omission of essential information”, he says.

Capez clarifies that, although there is no table and the law of supply and demand regulates market prices, State intervention can occur when there are situations of abuse by the population.

“At a time of a pandemic, this law needs to be analyzed by a population that is in need and is urgent. The company has the right to increase the price, but it may have abused the right in an attempt to obtain a disproportionate advantage”, explains the director. .

The establishments will have to prove, through invoices of purchase of the product and sale to the consumer, the prices practiced in the last months.

With the documents, it is possible to understand whether or not there were abusive increases, explains Procon. If abuse is proven, there may be punishment in accordance with the Consumer Protection Code.

Capez says that the fine is linked to the billing of laboratories and pharmacies and can reach R$ 11 million.

The director says that the average price of tests in the state will now be analyzed. “Now, we need to understand how many establishments are charging R$ 400 and how many are stabilized at R$ 90”, he exemplifies.

Sought by the report, the laboratory Delboni Auriemo said, through a note, that Procon was in its units and was asked about the exam prices on the 14th. The organ, according to the laboratory, has been carrying out visits as part of the Task force.

​”The company informs that it has collaborated with Procon-SP, providing absolutely all the information and documentation requested by the inspectors, with a view to contributing to the feasibility of all necessary analyses. Therefore, within the legal deadline, all clarifications will be provided through the relevant administrative channels”, says Delboni.

Procon’s inspection takes place at a time of an explosion of Covid-19 cases and a high demand for tests – the search was such that exams are lacking in most laboratories and pharmacies in São Paulo.

Since late 2021, patients have struggled to schedule Covid-19 tests at pharmacies. Between the 29th of December and the 3rd of January, the leaf checked the agenda of 40 pharmacies of large chains in São Paulo.

In some cases, the interested party had to wait five days to get an appointment.

Raia Drogasil pharmacy chains suspended scheduling due to lack of stock. It will only be possible to schedule a test when the supply is normalized.