Social

Home page

Social

Drugstores lack masks, some increased mask prices by 5-10 times in connection with swine flu in Azerbaijan

09 November 2009 11:24 (UTC +04:00)

APAâ€™s correspondent carried out investigation in Baku drugstores and found out that most drugstores either lack masks, or have increased the price. The masks, which had cost 10 kopeks, now cost 50 kopeks â€“ AZN 1.

Director of Health Ministryâ€™s Center for Analytical Examination of Medicines Abulfaz Abdullazadeh told APA that the Health Ministry is concerned over this problem.
â€œThe centerâ€™s representatives have been raiding since November 6. In connection with the swine flu, the prices of not only masks, but also of medicines used to treat respiratory infections have been increased. Some take an opportunity of the situation. This is inadmissible,â€ he said.

According to Abulfaz Abdullazadeh, Health Ministry can not pass sever decisions concerning the situation, as it does not regulate the prices.
â€œThis is in the competence of anti-monopoly service of Economic Development Ministry. We can only make recommendations to the drugstores,â€ he said.

Abdullazadeh said all hospitals and out-patient clinics had been supplied with the necessary medicines to treat the virus and masks. The patients may go to these facilities and get necessary help.