Heavy fines for establishments hoarding and raising prices of masks

At an extraordinary meeting on the afternoon of January 31, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue raised the issue of considering handling the hoarding and sudden price increases of masks, hand sanitizers, etc. to prevent the ongoing nCoV flu epidemic.

"The State does not intervene brutally in the market but must ensure harmony between the interests of production, consumers and society," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Government leaders require market management and financial inspectors to strengthen inspection and punishment.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue directed at the Price Steering Committee meeting on the afternoon of January 31.Photo: VGP

Regarding specific penalties, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of the Price Management Department (Ministry of Finance) said that masks are not subject to price stabilization and management, but according to Decree No. 109/2013, this item must have its price listed. Failure to list the price or listing and increasing the selling price will result in a fine of 10 - 15 million VND and refunds to consumers. Market management and financial inspection are the agencies responsible for inspection and penalties.

At the meeting, explaining the supply of masks, Mr. Le Thanh Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Finance (Ministry of Health) said that currently, the raw materials of 46 domestic medical mask production units depend on China and are passive in their production plans due to the proximity of Lunar New Year. Not to mention, China has requested to import masks from Vietnam because they are in short supply... so supply cannot meet demand.

However, domestic production units are also looking for new raw materials from Europe and other countries to import and produce.

Many stores in Nghe An have sharply increased the prices of masks in the past two days. Photo courtesy

Regarding antiseptic solution, he said it is mainly used in medical units through procurement bidding, now it is difficult to meet the demand if each family buys it.

"There is no such thing as hospitals selling masks and disinfectant solutions to outsiders because the hospitals themselves are very worried about internal supplies to prevent the epidemic," Mr. Cong affirmed.

On the same day, during an inspection at a pharmaceutical market and a large pharmacy in Hanoi, Hanoi market management discovered that many businesses did not list the prices of masks, and some of them were fined for administrative violations. At Hapulico drug market (Thanh Xuan, Hanoi), some stalls showed signs of hoarding. Therefore, Hanoi market management forces requested them to immediately list the prices and sell the masks they had on the market.

Currently, many types of medical masks are being sold at 2-3 times the price, some even increased 4-5 times, but they are still out of stock. Some pharmacies only sell one box or 10 masks to each buyer. Each box of Tanaphar brand masks previously cost 25,000 - 30,000 VND for a box of 20 masks, on January 30 it increased to 75,000 VND and by the afternoon of January 31 it even "jumped" to 300,000 VND.

"Wuhan pneumonia" was discovered on December 31, 2019 in Wuhan City (Hubei Province, China), then quickly spread to many countries around the world. By 12:00 on January 30, the world had recorded 7,819 cases of nCoV, including 170 deaths (162 deaths in Wuhan, China). On January 31, WHO declared a global emergency for this epidemic.

In Vietnam, as of 3:20 p.m. on January 30, there were 5 cases of Corona virus (nCoV) infection, including 3 people returning from Wuhan and 2 Chinese father and son being treated at Cho Ray Hospital. The son's treatment was successful and he tested negative; the father, with lung cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a weaker constitution and ability to prevent and fight the disease, still tested positive.