MUSCAT: The authorities are closely monitoring pharmacies and retailers, following complaints that some of them have been selling face masks for grossly inflated prices amid a surge in demand.
In less than two days, a second pharmacy was shutdown after it found that they were selling a box of face mask for OMR 60. On Wednesday, a pharmacy in Muscat was closed down for selling face masks at a higher price.
The Ministry of Health issued a circular to all pharmacies asking them to add a profit margin not exceeding 15 per cent for face masks and hand sanitizers while selling it to the public. It also warned the pharmacies against exorbitant price hikes to face masks. “Strict action will be taken against any violation,” said Dr. Mohammed Hamdan Al Rubai, Director General of MOH in a letter send to all pharmacies and drug stores.
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There has also been a huge increase in the hand sanitisers sales. “I checked few retail shops and they are all out of stock,” said Mohammed Jamshid in Muscat.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), hand sanitisers can decrease up to 70 per cent of the infection spreading, if used in the correct way.
On Thursday, Oman reported two more cases of coronavirus taking the total patients to six.
