Pharmacies in Vizag inflate prices of vaporisers

VISAKHAPATNAM: Following the outbreak of coronavirus in the city, vaporisers have been touted as a device that can help relieve coronavirus symptoms. Consequently, demand for vaporisers have gone up. But many consumers have begun complaining that medical shops are selling them at an inflated price.
Gampala Pavan Kumar, a government teacher from Nellore district, said, “I recently purchased a vaporiser for Rs 300 against its MRP of Rs 375.I have previously bought it for Rs 150 to Rs 200 pre-Covid months.”
Another purchaser, K Srinivas from Andhra University, said “I purchased a vaporiser for Rs 540 from a medical shop at Sivajipalem against its MRP of Rs 599. I was shocked to see the price, but the vendor said that the product is in high demand and not easily available. So, I decided to pay the sum, although I know that vaporisors cost around Rs 100 to Rs 150 in Poorna market.”
When the issue was brought to the notice of Madhusudan Reddy, deputy controller of legal metrology department, he said vaporisers are usually available at medical shops and only drug control authorities can address this issue.
Speaking to TOI, N Yugandhar, drug inspector, Visakhapatnam, said “Citizens can report cases of MRP violations or fraud in the sale of vaporiser in medical shops at 9182553574. We will keep a tab on those vendors.”