Chemists profit from H1N1 outbreak; sell masks at exorbitant prices

While chemists and retailers are selling face masks and drugs at exorbitant prices after the outbreak of H1N1 virus in J&K, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department has expressed its helplessness to curb profiteering without any rate list.
Since the outbreak of this fatal disease, the demand for face masks has increased considerably triggering its arbitrary price hike by chemists.
Notably, N-95 and N-91 masks are much in demand and are out of stock at most drug stores.
Many customers complained that chemists are selling face masks at higher prices with impunity.
“It is a shame that even at this juncture when people are in panic, certain section of society is making profit out of it,” said a local Bilal Ahmad of Nowgam.
Bilal said he bought a single piece of N-95 face mask at Rs 300 which should sell at its market price of Rs 250.
“People don’t have much choice in the prevailing circumstances. I was compelled to buy it for the safety of my family,” said Bilal.
There are two different types of face masks to prevent influenza. The first is a one-layered ‘routine mask’ while the other is the ‘N-95′ specially made for H1N1 patients.
Even though, the ordinary face masks sell at Rs 20 to Rs 30 a piece, N-95 face masks the MRP of which usually ranges from Rs 150 to Rs 250 is sold between Rs 300 to Rs 500.
“There is a shortage of these masks and whatever is available in the market are being sold on higher prices,” said another customer Irfan Bhat of Dalgate.
Health experts cite that wearing a face mask blocks large-particle droplets that may contain germs. It also protects the wearer’s saliva and respiratory secretion from reaching others.
Head of Pulmonary Medicine and Principal Investigator for the Influenza Project at SKIMS, Dr Parvez Koul said using a breathing mask is a must for those who attend or treat an infected patient.
“For normal citizens, it is an extra precaution which is not a must if they adhere to other precautions. But if people feel they cannot avoid going to social and religious gatherings, then the use of a standard breathing mask is necessary,” he said.
Meanwhile, Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Abdul Rashid Var said the department doesn’t have the rate list of the face masks.
“Currently, there is no rate list to these masks, so it is difficult for us to check the profiteering,” he said.
Var said if health department provides them the rates of these masks they can take actions against the culprits.
“We will anyway send our team tomorrow into the market for checking but it if we get the exact market rates of these masks from health department, we can take action,” said Var.
Meanwhile, number of H1NI cases continues to rise in the valley taking the toll of patients suffering from the virus to 138, while the death toll reached six till Monday.