Pharmacies exploiting customers

– one pharmacy selling a pack of 20 Vitamin C tablets for $700

By Telesha Ramnarine

EVER since the first case of the coronavirus pandemic here in Guyana, a number of businesses have been accused of raising their prices on items that the public needs in their fight against the dreaded disease.

Guyana Chronicle has confirmed, on Monday, that at least three pharmacies have significantly raised their prices for Vitamin C tablets. While many pharmacies are out of stock, those who do have are taking advantage of the fact that consumers will buy the vitamin irrespective of the cost.

One pharmacy on Middle Street is charging $700 for a pack of Vitamin C that contains 20 tablets. Prior to the outbreak of the disease, 20 tablets could have been bought for $200.
Another pharmacy on Barr Street, Kitty, is offering 12 Vitamin C tablets for $400, while another on Camp Street said they are selling at $30 for one.

Mike’s Pharmacy on Robb Street, in Georgetown, is one of the few that has not attached an exorbitant raise to their price for one tablet. On Monday, this pharmacy offered one Vitamin C tablet for $15.

Some businesses have also raised the prices on items such as hand sanitizers, Lysol products, Clorox and other disinfectants, face masks, and medications.
Just recently, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) condemned the practice of businesses inflating their prices at this trying time. “The PSC does not condone any attempt to profit from the crisis threatening our country from the coronavirus and condemns all attempts at doing so.”

The Competitions and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) had subsequently issued a statement saying it had credible information on occurrences of price gouging.
“CCAC has received credible information of price gouging on items which have been recommended for use to assist in the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus/COVID 19,” the CCAC statement said.

The body added: “While the commission has no legal standing to regulate market prices, we wish to use moral suasion in our appeal to suppliers to revert to the common prices for the items they are now gouging on. It is morally wrong to take advantage of consumers during any national emergency, in this case, that of a possible public health crisis. We appeal to suppliers to put your countrymen over excessive profit.”
Meanwhile, this newspaper previously reported that cleaners, who regularly retail for approximately $1,200, were being sold for as much as $5,000 at some stores. One customer reported that a Lysol 32-ounce spray was being sold at a pharmacy on Middle Street for $4,000.

One woman, who witnessed exorbitant prices being charged, had told this newspaper: “It’s very ridiculous for some of the stores to be increasing their prices of items that can save a life. What would happen to the smaller man if he doesn’t have the funds to purchase at the increased rate?”

Another person posted, on social media, a photo of hand sanitisers priced at $2,500, while others claimed to have purchased the same hand sanitizer elsewhere for $200.

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