Dengue outbreak has become a fresh concern in the country while the coronavirus is ramping up. Alongside, seasonal flu became a common phenomenon leading the hospitals and clinics struggling to tackle the rush of patients. So, the demand of lifesaving drugs is on the rise.
However, the additional demand of medicines created crisis in the market.
Price of many lifesaving drugs soared up two to three times more as the crisis prevail. Traders are defying the price catalog fixed by government.
Authorities set a price of several pivotal medicines amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, those drugs are being sold at taka 3,000 to 5,000. Injection vial which earlier was sold at taka 400 -500 now cost taka 1,500 to 2,000. The Report learned that a drug, which cost taka 95 thousand earlier, is now being sold at taka 1.5 lakh.
One of these medicines is Paracetamol which is used to treat Covid-19, dengue, seasonal flu patients and vaccine receivers. Due to the increasing number of patients in these diseases, crisis of this medicine has been prevailing in capital Dhaka and elsewhere across the country.
Traders say, as the corona and dengue contamination is increasing demand of Paracetamol rises. But, the supply has shrunk leading to a price hike of the drug. The price has been doubled in last two years.
Another medicine to treat coronavirus patients is Remdesivir which cost taka 4 thousand to 5 thousand as the pandemic began. Later, the drug administration the price, but traders are found defying the government rule.
Favipiravir is another medicine to treat Influenza. Usually it was sold at taka 200-300 but now the price hiked at taka 400-600.
Montelukast and Doxycycline are given patients who suffer breathing complications. A single piece of local made Montelukast tablet cost taka 15-20. But, now the price increased to taka 25-35. Doxycycline tablet was sold at taka 2.5-4 each while it is being sold at taka 5-10 now.
“Demand of Paracetamol doubled as the corona and dengue came together. Aside from that, demand of several other drugs also increased and the supply fell short. Sellers are charging extra price due to the shortfall. However, legal steps are underway. The problem will be resolved soon,” Bangladesh Chemist and Druggist Samiti former director Jakir Hossain told The Report.
However, deputy director of the drug administration Md. Ashraf Hossain said, no allegation has been raised yet regarding drug price hike.
“Price of medicines is now like before. We did not receive any complaint on price hike. Even, we did not hike any price. But, if any allegation arises, certainly we will take legal moves,” he said.
He said, people are used to consume Napa tablet whenever they suffer any complication. As a result, there is a problem in Napa supply. It will be resolved soon.
