GUWAHATI: Hygiene products that have been recommended to fight coronavirus including hand sanitisers and masks have been made available at all retail chemists counters of Assam at MRPs fixed by the government in larger public interest. This was stated by Dr. N. L. Agarwala, President of Chemists & Druggists Association of Assam (CDAA).
In the wake of global spread of pandemic, the only option for the people is to remain inside the home and safeguard themselves from the disease by frequently cleaning their hands besides maintaining the physical distance with each others.
"There have been rumours regarding non-availability of sanitiser and other related products in the market. The association would like to inform the consumers that they can contact pharmacies in their respective areas to procure hand sanitiser and other products like handwash soaps, and disinfectants at the prices (MRP) fixed by the government across the state," reads a statement issued by the association.
The current MRP rate as per Government rule is 500ml – Rs. 250 , 200ml – Rs. 100 and 100ml – Rs. 50.
{{z2ybx51CLw9jgyRH6Sjc}}
It is significant that local manufacturers of Assam took the lead in making available these products at government recommended prices while maintaining the quality.
While ‘Handuser-C’ of GRD Pharmaceuticals was the first brand of the northeast region which not only made available the sanitiser but also matched the prices recommended by the government, Mr Ghanshyam Dhanuka of the GRD Pharmaceuticals assured that there is sufficient stock available at government rates to cater to northeast at large.
He also urged end users and customers to refrain from buying sanitizers above government rates and old MRPs.
The association however regretted that there has been a sudden surge of sanitiser manufacturing companies in the state, majority of which are producing sanitisers and other products without having requisite licences or expertise.
"They are not following the mandatory norms for manufacturing health products as recommended by ICMR and dermatologists. Sanitizers are now being sold in large numbers and the genuineness of such products is also questionable," states the press release issued by CDAA.
It further adds that such companies and individuals are also producing masks and selling them at higher prices thereby violating the provision of different Acts under which these products are regulated and distributed at Government approved rates.
