The demand for intravenous saline has soared as the number of dengue patients is rising in the country. However, the supply is not enough as compared to demand.
Saline manufacturing companies have increased the price by 20 per cent showing a supply shortage since the outbreak of Dengue.
Companies claim that a class of unscrupulous traders has increased prices artificially by taking advantage of the increased demand. According to drug retailers, companies are not supplying saline as per demand and are charging high.
Such a picture emerged at a view exchange meeting with the participation of wholesalers, retailers and stake holders in order to keep the price of saline stable and the supply normal organised by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) at Dhaka.
The meeting was presided over by Director General of DNCRP A.H.M. Safikuzzaman.
Abdul Jabbar Mandal, assistant director of the DNCRP Dhaka district office said, “Our campaign in drugs market showed that when customers go to buy saline, most of the pharmacies say that saline is not available or will not be sold. But if the buyer gives more money, saline are available.”
Moreover, various irregularities were seen including selling saline at Tk 150 to Tk 350 per bag up form original price at Tk 87, storing expired medicines for sale, testing with expired test kits or reagents, selling samples of medicine, not storing medicines at proper temperature, he added.
In the discussion, the representatives of various saline manufacturing pharmaceuticals including Opsonin, Libra Infusion Ltd., Popular Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Beximco said currently six pharmaceuticals companies produce saline.
“We are producing more saline than before for the benefit of the consumers in this crisis of the country. Saline is now being produced in three shifts instead of earlier two shifts. Saline is being produced even on Friday, the weekly off day”, they added
Earlier, around 44 lakh saline bags were produced per month by these establishments. Currently 53 lakh saline bags are being produced every month due to increasing demand, which is 20 per cent more than before. Sufficient saline is being produced in the country, they furthered.
A director of Bangladesh Chemist and Druggist Association said that there is no transparency in the distribution line in the case of saline. Companies do not issue invoices. The 80 per cent of our pharmacies have not received any saline for the past two months.
Speaking to The Business Post, Mohammad Ashraf Uddin, director of the Department of Drug Administration said, “An 7 lakh piece of saline bags is in the process of being imported due to the increased demand of saline in the current dengue situation.
He added, “During the crisis, some unscrupulous traders have taken this opportunity to increase the demand of saline. Our department is monitoring this matter. In the case of sale of saline, there is an opportunity to know through the distribution channel- where the price of saline is being sold. The drug administration department fixes the prices of drugs through a committee. If saline is sold at high price, we take action if you complain to us with proof.”
