Price gouging and for essential hygiene, sanitary and medical supplies is selfish and inhumane

Mar 15, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

It is with much sadness and disappointment that I read about price gouging or inflated prices by pharmacies, supermarkets and general stores for essential hygiene, sanitation and some medical supplies. This response by supermarkets, pharmacies and general stores is selfish and would only bring short-term gain.
This is an opportunity for supermarkets and pharmacies, as well as manufacturers of these essential supplies and medication, to contribute towards efforts to help the people of the country to remain healthy.
The short-term gain of inflating these prices is also short-term thinking. If persons must use their savings or extra monies to purchase these items; it means that they would have less money to pay bills, purchase food items to ensure a healthy immune system for themselves and their family members, etc.
If persons cannot afford to purchase these essential hygiene, sanitation and medical supplies, it means that enough people would not be able to take the necessary precautionary measures; the result of which could be, possible increase in the number of cases of persons becoming infected with the coronavirus. This would negatively impact the workforce, the insurance industry, the financial industry, the education sector, among others.
It is important to note that the children and family members of persons who own these supermarkets, pharmacies and general stores are sharing the same environment, breathing the same air, as every other citizen. They send their children to the same schools, their families go to the same restaurants, malls, etc. and will therefore be exposed.
From an economic standpoint, as the demand for these supplies increase, one approach could be to inflate prices; however, the coronavirus has become a serious health pandemic, therefore another response ought to be, that Manufacturers, increase production of anti-bacterial products, essential medical supplies such as Vitamin C products. This will translate into higher profits also but by applying a more humane response. Prevention must be of paramount importance.
The response from supermarkets and pharmacies in some developed countries is to increase not merely the availability but accessibility of items such as, hand sanitisers and face masks. These items are placed in the area by the cashiers. Ten face masks are sold in a packet for $2.99 and a hand sanitiser cost $1.99.
One of the reasons why developed countries manage health challenges better, is not merely because they have better health care facilities but also necessary supplies are available and accessible to the people who need them the most; whereas in developing countries, the poorest of the poor are often the ones who suffer the most because in situations such as these, they are exploited. Developed countries also have better systems for price control.
According to some medical doctors, the price for a 19 oz can of Lysol increasing from G$1200 to G$ 6,000 in a day, as reported in the one of the newspapers; is downright ‘criminal’ behaviour.
Finally, I would call on all supermarkets, pharmacies and other stores where prices for these products have been increased, to do the morally and humane thing, and reduce these inflated prices by Friday, 20th March, 2020.

Yours faithfully,
Audreyanna Thomas

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