GCCI calls on Govt to regulate prices for anti-bacterial agents

Following the confirmation of the imported case of the novel coronavirus – COVID-19 – in Guyana, there has been a surge in the demand for Lysol, hand sanitisers, rubbing alcohol and other anti-bacterial agents.

This high demand has also caused a significant increase in the prices of the commodities since most pharmacies were not prepared.
However, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Boyer has slammed pharmacies and other businesses that hiked their prices.
He added that there will be no change in the prices of products sold by businesses under the GCCI umbrella.
“The Georgetown Chambers of Commerce [and] Industry for sure have encouraged our members as well as others to be ethical because at this point in time in the population is already in a panic state where people are rushing to buy hand sanitisers, disinfectant spray, mask.”
Boyer further appealed to suppliers to return to the regular prices while noting that the Chamber will be working with the Public Health Ministry to ensure that Guyanese do not fall into a state of panic.
“We would encourage businesses not to take advantage of that. What we are doing right now as a Chamber in addition to encouraging people not to take advantage of those who now feel that panic is that we would be working to get information from the Ministry of Health because this is going to be a countrywide epidemic and you can look and see what happened in other countries.”
Moreover, the GCCI Head noted that there needs to be a broader understanding of the virus since it can have a damning effect on the country and the economy at large.
“What would happen to NIS if we have 50-100 cases and these people cannot work. Do the hospital have enough of a quarantine area with enough beds because you cannot put people who are suffering from this virus in the same area that GPHC with the other patients,” Boyer added.
In addition, small-scale vendors on Friday made the move to significantly raise the prices for citrus fruits and other produce, as Guyanese flock the market for vitamin-enriched foods to fend off contraction of the coronavirus.
After the hike in prices, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) along with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) had condemned businesses.
Meanwhile, local health authorities have advised that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, they should contact the hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to their location.