http://www.newagebd.com/2008/may/11/edit.html
New Age, Dhaka, bangladesh
Sunday, May 11, 2008
EDITORIAL
Extortionary oral saline prices require government scrutiny
The long dry spell of stifling heat has predictably set off a mass
outbreak of diarrhoeal diseases across the country. Judging from the
death toll and the number of patients being admitted to specialised
and general hospitals, this seasonal illness is taking on menacing
proportions. This water borne disease is one of the leading reasons
behind mortality of children under five years of age across the world.
The most common treatment, thanks to years of relentless mass media
campaigns, to prevent fatality from diarrhoea is intake of oral
rehydration saline made from sachets marketed by different companies
and generally available at drugstores across the country. But
according to a report in New Age on Saturday, this saline is not
available in all the areas even in the capital. More worryingly still,
the prices of these sachets have increased for the second time in a
single week with diarrhoeal diseases showing little signs of letting
up.
According to the report the retail prices for each sachet,
generally enough to make about half a litre of the saline, have
doubled over the last few days. The report quotes retailers claiming
that the wholesalers were charging more. In both the cases=EF=BF=BDthe
retailer and the wholesaler=EF=BF=BDas the report points out, there is a
violation of the stipulated maximum retail price. The volatility of
prices, especially during times of crisis when this product is in high
demand along with the reported unavailability at certain points of
Dhaka, are ominous signs to say the least.
This is not the first instance of price escalation of essentials
drugs during times of crisis. There had been a similar trend in the
market in the wake of the twin floods last year when there was an
outbreak of waterborne diseases especially diarrhoea, common after
such natural calamities. Considering that there have not been any
visible or effective actions from the authorities concerned and the
consistent recurrence of price hike, it only indicates that this
crucial sector is not sufficiently regulated or governed. Similar to
the virtually unregulated market of essential foods, it appears that
the drug business is also vulnerable to profiteering, exploiting
people=EF=BF=BDs misery and desperation.
We have pointed out severally in these columns that this sector
requires more attention and strict regulation which have apparently
not been heeded. The incumbents must act immediately and decisively to
prevent such predatory trends which only tax the masses further and do
not contribute to the welfare.
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