Community pharmacies in Nigeria have reported massive boom in sales following an alleged increased demand for face masks by Chinese firms and agents.
They suspected that “the unusual deluge of demand for face masks” might not be unconnected with the Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, which had made the World Health Organisation to declare the virus a global emergency.
Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise, the Managing Director, NHC Pharmaceuticals Limited, Laide Soetan, said a Chinese firm had asked if she could ship about 100 cartons of the protective masks to China.
Soetan, who expressed surprise at the idea, said the client was also willing to pay for the shipment in dollars.
According to her, prior to the outbreak of Lassa and Coronavirus viruses, a pack of 50 face masks sold for N350.
However, in the wake of the epidemic, an unprecedented heavy demand for the item had skyrocketed the price to N1,300.
0 Comments