Treyfish
Moderator
Sunday August 16, 2009
PUTRAJAYA: The Government cannot control the price of face masks which are now in great demand.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said:
?The ministry has no power over the price of face masks as it is not a controlled item.
?I sympathise with those who have to wear a face mask and they will have a problem if it is expensive.
?But if they don?t wear a face mask, they are exposing themselves to the danger of H1N1 viral infection. So, I hope the suppliers and sellers will not raise the price of face masks as the country is facing the spread of the flu.
?Traders need to be ethical as it is a responsibility to the community,? he told Bernama.
He hoped suppliers would be sympathetic to the people?s plight and not take advantage of the current situation by increasing the price.
On Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai?s stern warning that action would be taken against opportunistic suppliers if they increase the price, Ismail Sabri said he would discuss the matter with Liow.
On pharmacies running out of stock of face masks and whether his ministry would monitor the situation, Ismail said he had not been informed of the matter.
?Although domestic trade is our area, but health items like medicine and related products also involve the Health Ministry,? he said.
In JOHOR BARU, there has been no report of a shortage of face masks.
Pharmacy staff Asiah Ahmad, 20, said there was no shortage of masks, sanitary wash and other pharmaceutical items at the pharmacy where she worked.
?Our supply of masks is still enough despite the high demand. The price of masks are between RM30 and RM50, depending on quality and brand,? she said.:tiphat:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/16/nation/4529770&sec=nation
PUTRAJAYA: The Government cannot control the price of face masks which are now in great demand.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said:
?The ministry has no power over the price of face masks as it is not a controlled item.
?I sympathise with those who have to wear a face mask and they will have a problem if it is expensive.
?But if they don?t wear a face mask, they are exposing themselves to the danger of H1N1 viral infection. So, I hope the suppliers and sellers will not raise the price of face masks as the country is facing the spread of the flu.
?Traders need to be ethical as it is a responsibility to the community,? he told Bernama.
He hoped suppliers would be sympathetic to the people?s plight and not take advantage of the current situation by increasing the price.
On Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai?s stern warning that action would be taken against opportunistic suppliers if they increase the price, Ismail Sabri said he would discuss the matter with Liow.
On pharmacies running out of stock of face masks and whether his ministry would monitor the situation, Ismail said he had not been informed of the matter.
?Although domestic trade is our area, but health items like medicine and related products also involve the Health Ministry,? he said.
In JOHOR BARU, there has been no report of a shortage of face masks.
Pharmacy staff Asiah Ahmad, 20, said there was no shortage of masks, sanitary wash and other pharmaceutical items at the pharmacy where she worked.
?Our supply of masks is still enough despite the high demand. The price of masks are between RM30 and RM50, depending on quality and brand,? she said.:tiphat:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/16/nation/4529770&sec=nation