Drug stores see buyers’ rush in Dhaka
Antihistamine, paracetamol and respiratory drugs were the most preferred items
Residents in the capital have started buying necessary medicines in excess, fearing a supply disruption, excessive price, unavailability in case of necessity and a possible city lockdown amid growing concerns over novel coronavirus.
In line with that, pharmacies and drug-selling stores served more buyers last week than those in earlier weeks.
Tamanna Pharmacy in Gulshan-1 sold 40 percent more medicines last week than that in the previous one.
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In a fifth straight day of buying over coronavirus panic in the city, Friday saw one of the extreme rushes of medicine buyers.
"A number of our regular customers are buying their routine drugs three to five times more than they usually do. Because, they do not want to come here [medicine shops] for the next two months," said Mohammad Riaz, a salesperson at Tamanna Pharmacy.
He also informed that antihistamine, paracetamol and respiratory drugs were the most preferred items.
Maa Pharmacy in Malibag Railgate area sold drugs twofold on Friday, compared to the previous Friday's sales. It's week-on-week sales jumped by around 50 percent.
Ratan Bhuiyan, the store-owner, believed that a large portion of the increased sale was a consequence of panic purchase.
There is a sufficient supply of medicines, and no price escalation was observed amid the unusual buying trend, he added.
People are getting some common medicines for possible emergency situations, said Ratan.
Sanitiser, masks and gloves were not available at his shop. But those items were selling in two nearby shops at higher prices.
Rabbi, a buyer at Maa Pharmacy, said, "I have bought 12 insulin cartridges for my mother who is a diabetic patient. I do not know if the prices would go up or there will be a shortage in the coming days."
Usually, it takes three to four cartridges for my mother to pass a month, he added.
Laaz Pharma near Moghbazar circle informed that their sales jumped to near double from Wednesday.
Sheikh Farid, the sales manager, informed The Business Standard about the increased demand for inhalers, antihistamine drugs and paracetamol.
Cardiac, hypertension, kidney and many other routine drugs are also selling in big quantities, mainly because of the people's tendency to stock them for coming weeks.
