No shortage in medicine supply, yet prices still high

Asad Haider, a resident in the port city's Rahattar Pool area, has been suffering from peptic ulcer for a long time. He was prescribed medicines for three months. One of the medicines he has to take is Sergel (Esomeprazole 20mg).

Although he could buy a pack of that for Tk 62 even last week, now the price has risen to Tk 68.

"I asked the salesman what the reason for the increase in price was and he said it was shortage of supply," Haider told The Daily Star.

"I don't understand the reason behind this shortage of supply. The government has instructed medicine shops to remain open, but many in the area have been closed since the evening of March 25," he said, adding, "The supply chain of medicine should be uninterrupted in any situation for the sake of patients."

Malati Sarkar, a resident of Jamal Khan Road, had the same experience yesterday. She too said the medicines she bought cost more now than a week ago.

"They told me it was because of a supply crunch," said Malati. "I had to buy the medicine at a higher price as the doctor asked me not to miss a single dose," she said.

Expressing concern, SM Nazer Hossain, central vice president of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), told The Daily Star that, "They have increased the price of medicine in different areas and it is the responsibility of the drug administration to monitor the market, but the officials are not performing their duties properly."

Contacted, Mozammel Hossain, deputy director of the Directorate General of Drug Administration, said demanding high price for medicine during a crisis is not only illegal but also unethical.

"There is no shortage in supply of medicine throughout the country…we will definitely look into it," he said.

Shibu Prasad Das, executive member of Bangladesh Chemists and Druggists' Association, Chattogram district, also said there was no shortage in supply of any medicine, except for a brand of paracetamol.

"There is no reason for pharmacists to demand high price for medicine," he said, adding, "We have strictly instructed our members to sell the medicine at the retail price."