Surgical masks’ price sky rockets as coronavirus hits Pakistan

Surgical masks’ box of 50 pieces jumps from Rs90 to Rs1100

The surgical masks packet of fifty pieces was sold at a wholesale price of Rs90 – below Rs2 per piece few days back but it has now jumped over Rs1100 – nearly 1200% as nightmarish coronavirus enters in Pakistan.

The general perception is that surgical masks are the first line of defense against the deadly virus, which has already entered all of Pakistan neighbors while it originated from China.

“We have stopped buying the inflated priced surgical masks. We were previously selling single piece for Rs5 and packets for Rs130 on retail. If we now ask our customers for Rs25 for each, they will think of us as minting money from them in these difficult times. Its better we don’t sell it at all,” Farhan Hasan, a drug store keeper said.

According to what has been learnt from doctors, surgical masks may not at be effective to save oneself from coronavirus.

According to people related to medicine and surgical related businesses, many persons had already started hoarding surgical masks expecting coronavirus to make inroads in the country and they could exploit the situation.

Prices had slowly started to increase during the one month.

Another medical store keeper Mohammad Sabir confirmed that there’s a panic among people since the news of two coronavirus patients in Pakistan has been confirmed.

“Since yesterday, every other customer is asking for surgical mask,” he said.

The storekeepers have suggested that government should ensure that there is no hoarding taking place at wholesale markets such as renowned Delsol medicine market near Light House in Karachi.

“They should also ensure availability of all surgical, N95 etc masks at fair price,” Sabir suggested.

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