After masks, alcohol-based sanitizers, and disinfectants, now the combat against the COVID pandemic makes it mandatory for people to buy an ‘OXIMETER’ even if one has to make a rush for it.
And like any other commodity that is highly in demand, people are now complaining about its unregulated prices. Customers have been reporting about shops charging ad hoc, unlabelled prices, ranging anywhere from Rs. 600 to Rs. 5000.
Sashanka Barbaruah, who has recently procured an oximeter, posted on his social media account, “Normally a pulse oximeter costs Rs. 1500. Yesterday, my neighbourhood pharmacist came to me to sell one of these at Rs. 3999. He was trying hard to persuade with fear appeal. I smiled and replied that we already bought one for Rs. 1800.” Barbaruah went on to appeal to his friends to bargain before buying one.
Similar stories were narrated by many other customers who were not happy with the prices they paid for an item that is today virtually mandated to be in every household of every city.
Why has it suddenly turned into an essential commodity?
After the state government provided COVID positive patients the option of staying at home rather than getting admitted into a hospital, the instrument called ‘pulse oximeter’ began to gain prominence. The health minister’s recommendation of keeping an oximeter in every household which has people under quarantine or isolation has led to a sudden increase in the demand for the instrument.
What is an oximeter?
The pulse oximeter is a small, lightweight medical equipment or device used to monitor the amount of oxygen a human body carries. The non-invasive equipment attaches painlessly to the fingertip, sending two wavelengths of light through the finger to measure the pulse rate and the amount of oxygen in the physical system.
Given the numerous brands available in the market and the range of pricing, G Plus took to the city’s medical instrument market to collect details on this much-in-demand product.
Brands available in Guwahati with prices-
Medtech at Rs. 4500 MRP
Zebronics at Rs. 4500 MRP
Sara+Care at Rs. 3499 MRP
Naulakha at Rs. 1500
Easy Life at Rs. 1500
Biolab at Rs. 950
Pulse Oximeter at Rs. 600
Dr. Odin at Rs. 600
Amongst the above-mentioned brands, Biolab is a ‘Made in Germany’ product, while the rest are all manufactured in China. Further, Zebronics and Medtech are among the few brands that have labeled MRPs and come with a warranty. Reportedly, the rest all are generic products that neither have proper labeling nor any warranty period.
As reported by medical equipment distributors of Panbazar, almost all oximeters are manufactured in China but are marketed by Indian companies, many of which choose not to display the ‘Made in China’ tag.
Given its generic nature, there is also no fixed pricing of the products.
Apart from the retail market of Guwahati, oximeters of different brands and ranges are also available on different shopping sites.
What are the generic brands?
Generic brands of consumer products are distinguished by the absence of a brand name; instead, they are identified solely by product characteristics and by plain, usually black-and-white packaging. Generally, they imitate more expensive branded products, competing on price. They are similar to "store brand" or "private label" products sold under a brand particular to the merchant, but typically priced lower and thereby perceived to be of lower quality.
Is oximeter actually necessary for every household?
Dr. Amal Chandra Kataky, Director of Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute, speaking to G Plus said, “The oximeter is a simple device. It will be effective only when a person is symptomatic, say he or she is having difficulty in breathing and the oxygen saturation is low. But a normal healthy person, despite checking his pulses and oxygen level on the device two to three times a day. will not find anything. I don’t think it is necessary for every other person to have an oximeter at home and do regular testing. This will only add to the panic.”
“But I recommend that a COVID positive person, staying under home quarantine or in isolation, must have the device to keep track of the vitals. Even then I would advise such patients to get hospitalized rather than take chances of staying at home. Otherwise, I don’t see any necessity to procure the same for healthy patients as it would not serve the purpose,” Dr. Kataky added.
Bikramananda Choudhury, Secretary of Assam Drug Dealers’ Association mentioned to G Plus that many shops have been selling the product apart from proper licensed medical equipment dealers, given the surge in demand. Their prices are unregulated. “I urge people to invest in the proper authentic products as it is a question of one’s health.”
Dealers have also pointed out that, they are unaware as to whether a license for selling the oximeter is necessary, as many shops are selling the same despite it being medical equipment.
Also, the readings of the large number of generic products sold in the market are questionable.