FDA writes to pharma body, seeks price cap on PPE, N95 masks

After receiving several complaints of over-pricing of safety gear, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has written to the National Pharmaceutical

After receiving several complaints of over-pricing of safety gear, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has written to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) seeking a price cap on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and N95 masks.

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Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in the city, the demand for safety kits has surged by almost 400%. Many local traders have turned the pandemic situation into an opportunity to make quick money. The issue was two-part — the authenticity of the masks and the inflated prices they were being sold at.

“In the interest of public health and to ensure sufficient availability at a reasonable rate, there is an urgent need to fix the ceiling prices of N95 masks, its equivalent masks and PPE kits on top priority to overcome the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country,” read the letter sent by Arun Unhale, commissioner of FDA, Maharashtra.

Earlier, on the request of the department, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs fixed the ceiling price of two and three-ply marks and hand sanitizers, which helped curb hoarding of the items to a great extent.

Due to lack of knowledge about PPE, the traders are selling it off at a higher price without much regulation. Donors also end up buying without inquiries due to time constraints.

“Private hospitals are being accused of charging exorbitant rates from patients. Prices of PPE have shot up two to three times. The government also doesn’t pay us for the safety gear. Due to the demand, we end up buying those at a higher rate,” said a doctor from a private hospital in Mumbai.

Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, secretary of Medical Education and Drugs Department (MEDD) said that they have also written to NPPA making the same demand. “In response to the letter, we have also written to NPPA and waiting for their response,” he said.