Coronavirus scare: 1.5 lakh N95 masks sold in a week in Allahabad, chemists cry crisis

PRAYAGRAJ: The worldwide coronavirus crisis and recent surge in positive cases in India have triggered an insanely high demand in the city for the N95 respirator, a special mask that blocks at least 95% of very small particles and is known to offer some protection against microbes.
As global infections top 95,000 and the toll in China alone crosses 3,200, residents — particularly those travelling to affected parts of India and abroad — are hoarding N95 masks, quickly eroding stocks and allowing price-gouging by a few retailers who are still selling the variety.

“Around 1.5 lakh N95 respirators were sold in a week. There has been an exponential rise in demand in the city. In fact, the N95 has vanished from the wholesale market on Leder Road and manufacturers too have refused to accept fresh orders,” said Anil Dubey, the president of Allahabad Chemists & Druggists Association.
Dubey added that they had urged traders dealing in medical supplies not to sell N95 masks to any customer in bulk. “One should be allowed to buy only a couple of pieces to avoid acute shortage of masks.”
Chemists on Leder Road in Johnstonganj said they were already out of stock. “Domestic mask manufacturers have expressed their unwillingness to accept orders for more and deliver consignments. We are trying to procure stocks from markets in Varanasi, Kanpur and Lucknow. It will take a week,” said Harsh Mehrotra, the owner of a medical and surgical store.
Sources in the industry said good quality N95 respirators have a shelf life of maximum five years from the date of manufacturing, provided they are stored in their original packing. However, one mask can be worn continuously for six to eight hours, said a medical officer.
“Hence, people travelling to say Delhi or abroad are procuring significant stock from the market. Some are even buying surgical masks, but they don’t provide protection against viruses,” said another chemist.
There is yet another flip side to this demand surge. Basic grade respirators, which cost Rs 120-150, are selling for more than double the price in the grey market, sources said.