Panic buying triggers mask, sanitiser crises

With the detection of the first novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country yesterday, health safety items such as face masks and sanitisers have gone out of stock in local markets.

According to market insiders, face masks, mostly N-95, and hand sanitisers have been in short supply for quite some time now. “As soon as the news of the detection of coronavirus cases spread in Dhaka yesterday afternoon, people went for panic buying of these safety items,” a trader said on condition of anonymity.

During a visit to several areas of the city, it was found that the supply of different types of surgical face masks and hand sanitisers have decreased. Priced of these supportive materials have also been hiked significantly in the last few days.

Masks were not available at most drugstores in Shahbagh, College Gate, and Topkhana Road areas and other medicine shops in the city.

Wholesalers claimed that although the majority of face masks in Bangladesh come from China, many, including Chinese nationals, are stocking up on the product to send it back to the virus-hit country.

Drug traders said that earlier they used to buy 50 packets of mask (one time use) at Tk. 80-100, but now it costs Tk. 350-450. They also claimed that as per demand, the masks are also not available and so retailers cannot sell them for less than Tk. 15-30 each.

Abdul Kalam, a seller at a Moghbazar-based pharmacy, said that the masks, which are usually used one time, come from China. “Now this product is not brought from China. And in Bangladesh, the Get Well Company of RFL Pran Group manufactures masks and their supply is low,” he added.

Hasan, a salesperson at a surgical store in Topkhana Road area, said the sale of masks has increased in the last two days. “Even a month ago, we used to sell 12 to 15 boxes (each box containing 50 to 100 pieces) of face masks daily. But now the supply is low and we are in deep crisis,” he added.

Admitting to the hike in price hike and supply shortage, Hasan mentioned: “A couple of weeks ago, we used to sell a box (50 pieces) at Tk 60. But now the price has shot up to Tk. 350-400. Our supply has also been decreasing due to increasing demand. We now have to collect these masks at extra charge.” On the other hand, some traders have sought to capitalise on the growing demand by selling masks at arbitrarily high prices, consumers alleged.

Miraj khan, a wholesaler at Topkhana Road, revealed that some retailers have started stocking masks with an ill-motive to sell them at higher prices once the demand starts peaking later.

Khaled Mahamud, who went to buy a surgical mask, said that one storekeeper demanded TK 120 because it was not available in most shops.

“These shopkeepers are absolutely greedy and unfortunately there is no one to monitor the markets,” he said in disgust.

Amal Sarkar, a hospital assistant, said one storekeeper asked him to cough up TK. 1,560 for a box of surgical masks, which was selling for Tk. 90 earlier. He expressed his disappointment at the lack of any authority to monitor the market at the time of a crisis.

Earlier, health and family welfare minister Zahid Malek had said that not all people needed to wear a mask outside, and only those suffering from cold and cough should use them.

BK

 

 

 

Panic buying triggers mask, sanitiser crises

With the detection of the first novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country yesterday, health safety items such as face masks and sanitisers have gone out of stock in local markets. According to market insiders, face masks, mostly N-95, and hand sanitisers have been in short supply for quite some time now. As soon as the news of the detection of coronavirus cases spread in Dhaka yesterday afternoon, people went for panic buying of these safety items, a trader said on condition of anonymity. During a visit to several areas of the city, it was found that the supply of different types of surgical face masks and hand sanitisers have decreased. Priced of these supportive materials have also been hiked significantly in the last few days. Masks were not available at most drugstores in Shahbagh, College Gate, and Topkhana Road areas and other medicine shops in the city. Wholesalers claimed that although the majority of face masks in Bangladesh come from China, many, including Chinese nationals, are stocking up on the product to send it back to the virus-hit country. Drug traders said that earlier they used to buy 50 packets of mask (one time use) at Tk. 80-100, but now it costs Tk. 350-450. They also claimed that as per demand, the masks are also not available and so retailers cannot sell them for less than Tk. 15-30 each. Abdul Kalam, a seller at a Moghbazar-based pharmacy, said that the masks, which are usually used one time, come from China. Now this product is not brought from China. And in Bangladesh, the Get Well Company of RFL Pran Group manufactures masks and their supply is low, he added. Hasan, a salesperson at a surgical store in Topkhana Road area, said the sale of masks has increased in the last two days. Even a month ago, we used to sell 12 to 15 boxes (each box containing 50 to 100 pieces) of face masks daily. But now the supply is low and we are in deep crisis, he added. Admitting to the hike in price hike and supply shortage, Hasan mentioned: A couple of weeks ago, we used to sell a box (50 pieces) at Tk 60. But now the price has shot up to Tk. 350-400. Our supply has also been decreasing due to increasing demand. We now have to collect these masks at extra charge. On the other hand, some traders have sought to capitalise on the growing demand by selling masks at arbitrarily high prices, consumers alleged. Miraj khan, a wholesaler at Topkhana Road, revealed that some retailers have started stocking masks with an ill-motive to sell them at higher prices once the demand starts peaking later. Khaled Mahamud, who went to buy a surgical mask, said that one storekeeper demanded TK 120 because it was not available in most shops. These shopkeepers are absolutely greedy and unfortunately there is no one to monitor the markets, he said in disgust. Amal Sarkar, a hospital assistant, said one storekeeper asked him to cough up TK. 1,560 for a box of surgical masks, which was selling for Tk. 90 earlier. He expressed his disappointment at the lack of any authority to monitor the market at the time of a crisis. Earlier, health and family welfare minister Zahid Malek had said that not all people needed to wear a mask outside, and only those suffering from cold and cough should use them. BK