Why are drugstores short of medical masks? - SURVEY

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and increasing fatality rates worldwide have caused anxiety among people. Detection of the virus in neighboring Iran quintupled the demand for medical masks in Baku, causing panic among the city residents. People rush to pharmacies to buy medical covers, leading to the product shortage.

Report has held a survey in this regard.

Lala Aliyeva, Procurement Manager for Avis Medical Markets network, told Report that as more and more customers are coming, drugstores are running out of protective masks.

Aliyeva said that chemist's shops mostly sell Turkish-made surgical masks which are sterile, three-layered, and thicker.

"They cost AZN 0.50, and there is no increase in prices," she added.

The procurement manager mentioned that pharmacists have been instructed to sell a maximum of 10 masks per customer and not to allow wholesale, 'as we have very few in stock and, therefore, ordered the new ones.'

'Zeferan' network of pharmacies informed that none of its stores have face masks on the sale.

The Health Ministry told Report that since private companies are involved in the sale of surgical masks, the matter is beyond its control.

In response to Report, the Ministry of Economy noted that there has recently been an increasing demand for medical masks across the world. "Azerbaijan imports face masks from abroad. Thus, the rise in prices overseas affects retailers in Azerbaijan. However, the ministry's State Service for Antimonopoly Policy and Consumer Rights Protection carries out a proper investigation regarding changes in cost, and it will take appropriate measures in case of an artificial rise in prices," said the ministry.

Independent health expert, Pr. Adil Heybulla told Report that consumers should replace protective masks every two hours and use only those which cover the mouth and nose.

Coronavirus has already claimed 2,769 lives worldwide.