STOCKS of face masks and hand sanitisers are depleting swiftly as demand soars amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, said pharmacies.

Their worry is not assuaged by the government’s reassurance that there is sufficient supply of three-ply face masks for the public.

Putrajaya had also loosened its requirements for manufacturers to hire extra foreign workers to ramp up production.

Despite these measures, however, pharmacies are still worried.

Caring Pharmacy senior marketing manager S.M. Seow told The Malaysian Insight that the stocks of face masks and hand sanitisers are insufficient.

“We have 134 branches across the country and sometimes the supply is not enough to meet demand. We only allocate to branches which have been out of stock for a long time and limit consumers to buy only three to five masks per person.

“The supply is not consistent. Sometimes we could have 50 boxes of masks when we have stock. We distribute to branches based on demand.

“I don’t allow consumers to buy an entire box. We will pack small quantities to ensure that all consumers can buy masks,” she said.

Seow said the situation is the same with hand sanitisers.

“Sometimes we receive 1,000 bottles of 500ml hand sanitiser. We also look at the demand according to branches to distribute the goods.

“The retail price of masks and hand sanitisers cannot exceed the price limit set by the government. But when the demand increases, the price goes up,” she said.

A number of customers are buying these items in bulk and reselling them for a profit, she said.

For example, she said, the Alsoft brand of hand sanitisers is only available at Caring Pharmacy and hospitals. However, it is now being sold elsewhere.

The sanitiser is repackaged into smaller bottles and sold at a higher price.

“What is more outrageous is that people are selling it outside our premises,” she said.

“In fact, this is unhygienic and all hand sanitisers need to be approved by the Chemistry Department.”

Many so-called manufacturers and suppliers have also approached the pharmacy to sell their products.

“We don’t know these people and their products are very expensive.”

She said Caring Pharmacy’s supplier assures that stock will be sufficient by the end of the month.

Caring’s chief pharmacist Wong Hooi Fen said many customers are checking on the availability of face masks and hand sanitisers daily.

Some get upset when told they’ve run out.

“Many have scolded pharmacists because of this,” said Wong.

Caring Pharmacy also educates customers on how to maintain good hygiene and protect themselves.

She noted that while customers have been frantically hoarding supplies few are seen wearing masks at public places.

“We have also purchased masks with poor quality due to insufficient supplies. After this experience, we have become more careful with sourcing our supplies.”

Ooi Jong Joo, head of the AA Pharmacy in Kepong, said the outlet has been out of stock for two weeks.

The pharmacy’s headquarters had been sourcing supplies from China.

However, demand has exceeded supply and local manufacturers only sell to regular customers, hence making it difficult to source stocks for face masks and hand sanitisers.

“Today, we restrict each customer to only one bottle of hand sanitiser. Before that, we restricted each customer to only one box of face masks.

“Customers who can’t buy masks and hand sanitisers usually vent their anger at us and we have to take it.”

Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society president Amrahi Buang said the government needs to teach people when to wear masks.

“The supply of masks on the market is insufficient. Many people are panicking and buying a lot of masks and hand sanitisers.”

He reminded the public that they only needed to wear a mask when they have a cold and sick.

“People have to understand the right way to wash their hands with soap. They don’t need to buy hand sanitisers.”

According to the pricing set by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, the wholesale price of one-layer masks is RM5 per box, while the retail price is RM7 per box and the wholesale price of two-layer masks is RM8, and the retail price is RM10.

The wholesale price of three-layer masks is RM25 per box and the retail price is 80 sen a piece. The wholesale price of three-layer (strap type) mask is RM30 per box and the retail price is 80 sen a piece. The wholesale price of N95 masks is RM100 per box and RM6 per piece. – February 17, 2020.