Chemists directed to sell masks at controlled rates

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 9

Concerned over the rising prices of face masks, the State Drug Controller, Haryana, today directed the chemists in the district to sell masks and sanitisers at controlled rates.

Narendra Ahuja, State Drug Controller, in a meeting with chemists, advised them to create awareness among the masses that there was no need for buying masks as no positive case of Covid-19 has been reported from the district. He said the chemists while selling the masks should question the customers as to why they were purchasing it. He also told them to advise their customers that in case of cough and cold, they should avoid taking their hands towards mouth, nose and eyes.

Ahuja also warned the chemists about some companies that, in order to earn quick money, had introduced spurious sanitisers. He said they should purchase alcohol-based sanitisers of known brands or registered companies.

Civil Surgeon Jasjit Kaur said there was no need to panic as all 26 cases reported in the district had been tested negative. She said that they were fully prepared to deal with any situation and added that a facility for testing of Covid was available at the PGI in Chandigarh and in Rohtak. She said amid Covid scare, more and more people with cough symptoms were coming to the hospital which had helped them to identifiy persons suffering from tuberculosis.

BB Singal and Mohinder Kakkar, patron and president, respectively, of the District Chemists’ Association, assured the drug controller that masks would be sold at genuine rates. They said the mask which was available for Rs 2 was now being delivered for Rs 20.

Adarsh Goel, Deputy Drug Controller, Sunil Chaudhary, Senior Drug-cum-Licensing Officer, and Ritu, District Drug Controller, were among those present in the meeting.