Prices of pulse oximeters, drugs and medical gadgets skyrocketing across the city

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With experts advising individuals to buy 'Pulse Oximeters' to measure the level of oxygen in blood in view of the alarming increase in the rate of COVID-19 infection across the city, the demand as well the prices of this device has shot up.

Even though the old pharmacies and wholesalers in Pan Bazar, Lakhtokia, and Machkohwa areas here are selling the 'Pulse Oximeters' at its old prices (Rs 1500 to Rs 1700), retailers have doubled or tripled the price of this device taking advantage of the customers' rush.

"We are selling oximeters in between Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,200. The demand for the device has suddenly taken a sharp rise; and we have a limited stock. We have no other option but to sell the device at high prices so that only those who are in real emergency can avail the same," the owner of a retail pharmacy at Bhangagarh said. The same was the response when this reporter visited retail pharmacies at Ulubari, Chandmari, Ganeshguri and Paltan Bazar to enquire about the prices of the device. The retailers even said that it is not only the oximeter, prices of other medical equipments and gadgets are also rising.

The retailers further said that there has been a shortage of oximeter even with the wholesalers due to sudden rise in the number of sellers across Assam as well as other parts of the country. The buyers have, however, rejected the retailers' arguments and accused the latter of trying to create a black market of oximeter.

"I have purchased a pulse oximeter from Pan Bazar at Rs 1,650 and I have the cash memo. I have been told that there is no shortage of the device. Lack of an effective monitoring mechanism by the administration has given a free hand to the retailers to sell the device at skyrocketing prices," a city resident said.

"Given the increase in the COVID-infection rate, it is important not to ignore any mild illness. A pulse oximeter comes in very handy to monitor the oxygen-saturation level as it can pick up the hypoxia syndrome very early," said a doctor. Hypoxia is a term used for low-oxygen level in the blood. Since COVID-19 is a predominant infection of the respiratory system, it results in impaired oxygenation of the blood. Hypoxia can be fatal in most cases, the doctor added.

On the other hand, prices of many life-saving and other essential drugs have gone up due to the shortage of supply caused by the prolonged COVID-ridden lockdown.

A senior medical representative said the cost of Azithromycin, a common drug used to treat bacterial infections, has increased by 70 per cent. He said prices of painkillers, multivitamins and a few antibiotics have also increase by 20 to 30 per cent.

"The Union Health Ministry has already asked the pharmaceutical companies to increase the ceiling price of essential medicine Heparin (a blood thinner) by 50 per cent till December 31. This may only be the first of several drugs to get a price hike as the country tries to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak by imposing lockdown," the medical representative apprehended.

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