A customer is purchasing a self-test kit at a convenience store. Provided by CU
From the 7th, the price of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) self-test kit sold at convenience stores will be reduced from 6,000 won to 5,000 won. With the recent increase in new confirmed cases, complaints have been raised that disposable self-test kits are expensive. The price cut at convenience stores is expected to affect pharmacies, another retail outlet.
According to the convenience store industry, CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, E-Mart 24, and Ministop announced that they would reduce the price of self-test kits to 5,000 won and 1,000 won from the previous ones. These companies say they have decided to cut prices to ease the burden on consumers.
CU decided to adjust the price of a total of six self-test kits currently sold at stores to 5,000 won.
The GS25 also lowers the price of 3 products with 2 units from 12,000 won to 10,000 won, and the 3 types with 1 unit from 6,000 won to 5,000 won, respectively. 7-Eleven also cut the price of three self-test kits sold in subdivisions to 5,000 won. E-Mart 24 also decided to cut the prices of four self-diagnosis kits.
In February, the government designated the self-test kit as a medical product to respond to a public health crisis when the price soared due to a surge in demand for self-test kits, and the selling price for single use has been fixed at 6,000 won. As a result, sales were limited to pharmacies and convenience stores.
However, as the number of new confirmed cases has recently increased, complaints have been pouring in that the price of disposable self-test kits is expensive. There are also opinions that the price should be lowered as some criticize the low reliability.
The government recently lifted the price restriction on the 5th as the supply of self-test kits has stabilized, and pharmacies and convenience stores can sell them at any price they want. Pharmacies are also likely to be affected as convenience store makers cut prices.
An official from the convenience store industry said, “We will do our best to provide a stable supply of self-test kits at reasonable prices.”
Kang Eun-young reporter kiss@hankookilbo.com