The demand for Dextrose Normal Saline (DNS) – used in the treatment of dengue – has soared in Chattogram with the increased number of cases, triggering a scarcity of the pharmaceutical item.
At the same time, taking advantage of the alleged scarcity, traders are charging up to Tk 500 for a bag of DNS – which was previously Tk 100.
The number of dengue patients is increasing in Chattogram district as the country is witnessing its rapid outbreak, registering hundreds of cases and a number of fatalities every day.
Since January this year, the district has recorded 2,241 dengue cases and 23 deaths so far. In the 25 days of July, some 1,776 infections and 14 fatalities have been reported here.
Officials at the district administration said the DNS is not available at pharmacies in front of Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital at Agrabad and Chattogram Medical College and Hospital in the port city.
Dishonest traders have hiked its price despite the label on the DNS bag displaying the price of Tk 100, they said.
Under the circumstances, the district administration and the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) conducted a joint drive in the port city’s Hajari Goli, the largest wholesale market of medicines in Chattogram, on Tuesday.
Traders, however, fled the scene closing their shops after hearing the news of the drive, the officials said.
During the drive, only 150 litres of DNS were found at Bengal Pharmacy and Chattala Pharmacy. The saline was then seized and taken to the pharmacy of Maa-O-Shishu Hospital for sale at fair prices.
In the drive, physician sample medicines worth around Tk 1 lakh were also seized from a shop at Khaja Market. Besides, three shops were fined Tk 20,000 as a warning.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abul Bashar Mohammed Fakhruzzaman said, “There is certainly a shortage of DNS in the market. We will talk to the manufacturing companies. If necessary, we will talk to the health minister and the secretary.
“The district administration will continue its strict monitoring until the supply of saline becomes normal in the market.”
The district administration’s Executive Magistrate Protik Dutta and DGDA Assistant Director SM Sultanul Arefin led the drive.
