Pharmacists association warns against face mask overpricing

AMMAN — The Jordan Pharmacists Association (JPA) called on community pharmacies not to purchase any face masks without an official invoice that contains a reference to the name, address and telephone number of the supplier.

Along with praise for pharmacists' efforts to improve the Kingdom’s healthcare services, the JPA warned citizens and pharmacists against "unreasonable" increasing of face mask prices as demand for various types of protection surges during the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, according to JPA statements made available to The Jordan Times on Sunday.

The statements added that the JPA's warnings to pharmacists come in response to a significant number of complaints regarding the “exorbitant prices” of face masks, which harm both pharmacies and citizens.

“Some suppliers have charged higher prices,” a medical equipment and devices supplier, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Jordan Times on Sunday, adding that he sells one box of medical face masks for JD6.

“It is not right to make it harder for people to access medical masks, because we are citizens as well,” the supplier said.

The JPA also urged citizens to report complaints regarding the overpricing of face masks to the association.