Why are the private coronavirus tests so expensive in Uk?

[fishywaters]

Does anyone know? I would argue if the government testing system isn’t working properly get private companies involved ASAP, sign them off as “official”, price regulate. Is it really that hard to organise this? Other countries are doing it it seems. Why is it not happening here? Would you pay let’s say pay 30-40 pounds to get a test quickly and efficiently (assuming of course it is a proper test)

The NHS means we have no real idea how much things cost.

Well, because if you're desperate you'll pay the price, and companies are taking advantage of that.

Surely the Government is requisitioning national testing capacity for its own purposes - or at least it should be - so any capability for private firms will be very limited, and the price will take account of that.

The “normal” tests cost 54 euros in France (largely reimbursed) and the new rapid tests about 10 euros. I hope it therefore costs the NHS less than 54 euros to test people here but I don’t know. I don’t know what is happening here regarding private companies. It was a question to see if anyone else knows.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/09/france-to-open-20-new-covid-19-testing-centres-in-paris-region