Fearing a possible scarcity of protective gear in the country amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the home ministry has suggested strict vigilance and monitoring on production, supply, import and marketing of such items.
Citing its own special report, the ministry has recommended the authorities concerned instruct the pharmaceutical companies to produce and market such protective items as per their own capacity.
It has also advised the commerce ministry to ask the local administration, district police and drug administration for keeping close watch and conducting mobile courts regularly so that the prices of safety items remain stable in the market.
Besides, the ministry has recommended that required measures be taken to smoothly import hand gloves and necessary raw materials of health safety tools.
It has called for the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) to give necessary instructions and take next course of action to ensure sufficient supply of the items and turn the spotlight on the operation activities of producing entities.
Recently, the ministry has sent the report to the health, industries and commerce ministries, national board of revenue, police department and divisional commissioners' offices for taking required actions in this regard.
The report noted that production of tools is being hampered due to tardy import of necessary raw materials.
Besides, the demand for such safety gear and use have increased significantly. Due to less supply, the prices of these items have risen and caused a shortage in the market.
It suggested that the authority concerned ask BGMEA and BKMEA to produce masks on a large scale.
The report has also suggested preparing an integrated plan in this regard and taking necessary measures to remove all roadblocks at import level.
At present, counterfeit or substandard protective gear have been selling in the market in the absence of proper legal steps, a source concerned said.
He, however, said low quality masks are being marketed at cheaper prices and these are not effective in fighting Covid-19.
"We have learnt that some dishonest traders are making hand sanitisers by mixing water and dye for taking advantage of the demand for hand sanitisers," he added.
The prices of health safety items have increased many times. Currently, per piece of normal mask is being sold for Tk 25-40 at retail level. Before the outbreak of Covid-19, it was only Tk 5-10.
Besides, unscrupulous traders have been selling N-95 mask extortionately. It is now selling at Tk 400-2000 per piece. Over 14 apparel units are producing masks in the country. Besides, some small firms are manufacturing the product.
Currently, over 20 pharmaceutical companies are involved with producing hand rubs and sanitizers. Several pharmaceutical units are also trying to produce these items.
Presently, the country has a stock of over 10 million hand gloves. More or less seven importers import hand gloves on a large scale. Besides, some traders are importing the items on a limited scale.
Two pharmaceuticals are now producing disinfectants. They are paying attention to boost their production. Currently, the liquid item is not available in the market.
Law enforcement agencies have taken legal actions against several firms on production facilities and inventories of counterfeit/ substandard safety kits that are imperilling the lives of Covid-19 patients and frontline health workers alike.
Supply of substandard masks to several state-run hospitals instead of N95 masks was revealed through social media in early April.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has taken required initiative to launch an investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of N-95 masks and personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals, according to its public relations department.
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