TIRANA, Feb. 25 – The Albanian prosecution office has launched investigations into several cases of drug price abuse by many pharmacies, as public concern over the COVID-19 has increased. Thousands of citizens in panic turned to pharmacies in order to purchase sanitizers and medical masks however the prices of sanitizers have increased by six times in a few days since the outbreak, while face masks go for ten times the price.
Pharmacists explained that China is the biggest manufacturer of medical gloves and masks but due to the coronavirus, they are not supplying other countries regularly because they are keeping them for themselves, hence the issues in the supply market.
During the past week, citizens are being told by many pharmacists that virus prevention has more to do with community hygiene rather than simply putting on masks. The Director of the Pharmacist’s Order, Diana Toma, said to VOA that “all pharmacies in Albania these days have become centers of consultation and health education for citizens by directly conversing with them.”
Moreover, pharmacists say they are the safest allies of citizens and dismiss the allegations of the pharmaceutical network about abuses in prices or product quality, emphasizing their commitment to work alongside concerned citizens.
Since the outbreak in Italy, health authorities in Albania have doubled measures to prevent coronavirus from entering Albanian through its neighboring country. Moreover, officials urged citizens to trust doctors in handling possible risks regarding the COVID-19.
