Pharmacies in Dubai have noticed an upsurge of demand for fake masks following the report of first confirmed cases of new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the UAE yesterday.
The Arabian Business and The National reported that face masks are starting to run out of stock in Dubai and Abu Dhabi pharmacies.
Jobilal Vavachan, CEO of Aster Pharmacy and Aster Clinics, told the Arabian Business that there has been “unprecedented demand for the N95 masks which are clinically proven to be able to support the reduction of virus spread.”
“Our supply team have been diligently attempting to source and procure new stock with our suppliers who are supporting as quickly as they can with production and shipment of significant quantities,” Vavachan said.
He confirmed that they have set aside a portion of their stocks for their front line employees like their clinical and paramedical team “to ensure their safety.”
The National, meanwhile, reported that face masks are being sold for up to DH699 on amazon.ae. Normal price at pharmacies is within Dh139-170.
Pharmacies from Meadows branch of Aster Pharmacy in Dubai, BinSIna Pharmacy in The Greens, Dubai and Life Pharmacy in Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi have also ran out of N95 masks.
The Department of Economic Development in Dubai said it will continue to monitor reports of spike in prices of face masks.
تؤكد دائرة التنمية الاقتصادية انها تواصل عبر برامج حماية المستهلك العمل على مراقبة التقارير الواردة عن ارتفاع أسعار بعض أنواع الكمامات الطبية وتلزم الصيدليات ومنافذ البيع بالأسعار المحددة. @Dubai_DED
— حماية المستهلك – دبي Consumer Protection (@dubai_consumers) January 29, 2020
The DED noted though that the supply of face masks dwindled because certain members of Chinese community in the UAE bought large quantities and sent them to families and relatives China where the 2019-nCoV outrbreak has seen unprecedented rise.
وعزت الدائرة نفاذ بعض أنواع من الكمامات الطبية من الأسواق المحلية لقيام أفراد من الجالية الصينية بشراء تلك الأنواع بكميات كبيرة لارسالها لأهلهم وذويهم في الصين ضمن مبادرة إنسانية @Dubai_DED https://t.co/7c3pwHSjtD
— حماية المستهلك – دبي Consumer Protection (@dubai_consumers) January 29, 2020
Still, the DED called on chemists and retailers not to raise the price of face masks.
“DED asks consumers to file complaints if they find mask prices, increased,” the DED said in its Tweet.
تهيب اقتصادية دبي الصيدليات ومنافذ بيع المعدات الطبية بعدم رفع اسعار الكمامات استغلالا للطلب المرتفع من المستهلكين #البارجيل #فيروس #فيروس_كورونا #كورونا #albarjeel #الامارات #الامارات_البارجيل #اقتصادية_دبي #حماية_المستهلك #حماية_المستهلك_البارجيل #اقتصادية_دبي_البارجيل pic.twitter.com/2h0s8Nh0uq
— البارجيل – ALBARJEEL (@albarjeel1) January 29, 2020
