High-protection masks cost up to 1 Euro at Corfu pharmacies
COVID-19
29 Dec 2021
/ 10:59
CORFU. The price of the mandatory high-protection masks is hitting household budgets.
The public has now been asked to obtain KN95 or FFP2 high-protection masks and, as expected, there has been a spike in demand - a fact that is being exploited by some 'enterprising' businesses.
Disparities
The General Secretariat for Trade and Consumer Protection at the Ministry for Development & Investment announced that it found over 16 e-shops and physical shops which had increased prices almost immediately following the announcement of the new measures.
Up to 1 Euro at pharmacies
"There have been no reports of profiteering at Corfu pharmacies," Pharmaceutical Association President Alexandros Stamatakos told Enimerosi. "Prices ranging from €0.80 to €1 were normal even before the masks became mandatory. Before the announcement, there was no great demand for them, so a lot of pharmacies had plenty of stock and are able to adjust their prices. We're talking about a cheap product, however, and whatever the price increase, it is going to make a very small difference to profits and it is not worth risking their reputation.
"Pharmacies work with the lowest profit percentages - between 15% and 40% - and differences in prices basically come from the import wholesalers.
"If someone finds masks costing 3-4 euros, then we are, of course, talking about profiteering. In a small community like Corfu, if the Pharmaceutical Association receives reports like this, then we will contact the persons and make recommendations. Our position, however, is that nobody should exploit health conditions for profiteering."
Sales other than from pharmacies
Those seeking masks may turn to the internet or other retail outlets. Surfing on the internet, one can find high-protection masks for adults starting at around €0.27 each and at €0.25 for children. However, one needs to take into consideration delivery costs and time - if you buy a mask at €0.30 and delivery costs €2.50, then the total will come to €2.80. The cost per piece, obviously, comes down when ordering a larger quantity.
Specifications
"The mask is officially considered to be a medical product, manufactured under a specific patent and has clear specifications," says Mr. Stamatakos. "Logically, it should only be sold at pharmacies, but it is being sold elsewhere basically for people's convenience. It may not be illegal to sell them at other retail outlets, but I consider it irregular."
Disparities
The General Secretariat for Trade and Consumer Protection at the Ministry for Development & Investment announced that it found over 16 e-shops and physical shops which had increased prices almost immediately following the announcement of the new measures.
Up to 1 Euro at pharmacies
"There have been no reports of profiteering at Corfu pharmacies," Pharmaceutical Association President Alexandros Stamatakos told Enimerosi. "Prices ranging from €0.80 to €1 were normal even before the masks became mandatory. Before the announcement, there was no great demand for them, so a lot of pharmacies had plenty of stock and are able to adjust their prices. We're talking about a cheap product, however, and whatever the price increase, it is going to make a very small difference to profits and it is not worth risking their reputation.
"Pharmacies work with the lowest profit percentages - between 15% and 40% - and differences in prices basically come from the import wholesalers.
"If someone finds masks costing 3-4 euros, then we are, of course, talking about profiteering. In a small community like Corfu, if the Pharmaceutical Association receives reports like this, then we will contact the persons and make recommendations. Our position, however, is that nobody should exploit health conditions for profiteering."
Sales other than from pharmacies
Those seeking masks may turn to the internet or other retail outlets. Surfing on the internet, one can find high-protection masks for adults starting at around €0.27 each and at €0.25 for children. However, one needs to take into consideration delivery costs and time - if you buy a mask at €0.30 and delivery costs €2.50, then the total will come to €2.80. The cost per piece, obviously, comes down when ordering a larger quantity.
Specifications
"The mask is officially considered to be a medical product, manufactured under a specific patent and has clear specifications," says Mr. Stamatakos. "Logically, it should only be sold at pharmacies, but it is being sold elsewhere basically for people's convenience. It may not be illegal to sell them at other retail outlets, but I consider it irregular."
