Government: "Some Supply Imbalance of Self-Diagnosis Kits... Considering Export Controls and Price Restrictions"

National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee's Supplementary Budget Adjustment Subcommittee

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The government mentioned export controls and price restriction measures as countermeasures to the supply imbalance issue of COVID-19 self-diagnostic kits.

On the 9th, Ryu Geun-hyeok, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, appeared at the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee's supplementary budget adjustment subcommittee and stated, "It is true that some imbalance between supply and demand has occurred recently as the demand for self-diagnostic kits has increased."

Vice Minister Ryu said, "According to our assessment, it is possible to produce about 10 million units per day, and we expect to produce 200 million units in February and nearly 300 million units in March."

He added, "Currently, there are three manufacturers, but we plan to add two more to increase production volume, and if necessary, although it is the worst-case scenario, we are closely reviewing export controls. We are strictly responding to hoarding and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is also reviewing price restrictions," he emphasized.

Regarding the Democratic Party's plan to support self-diagnostic kits for the entire population, Vice Minister Ryu explained, "Distributing to the entire population would require hundreds of millions of units. At this stage, we think it is necessary to prioritize support for vulnerable groups to infection and consider a separate approach for the entire population."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.