Pharmacies run low on hand sanitisers
THERE is a shortage of hand sanitisers in pharmacies around the Central Division.
A survey conducted by this newspaper found most pharmacies in the Suva, Nasinu and Nausori areas running out of stock of hand sanitisers.
The Fiji Pharmaceutical Society said pharmacies started facing stock shortages from early last month.
FPS president Reenal Chand said this was expected whenever there was a disease outbreak.
He said it was difficult to say how long the shortage would last because the COVID-19 virus had been declared a global pandemic.
“Each country will be looking after their own needs first,” he said.
“Pharmacies are trying to procure stocks as best as they can but there is a global increase in demand for these products.
“In early February masks started to run out then followed closely by hand sanitiser.”
Many pharmacies receive hand sanitisers from local wholesalers who source it from Australia and New Zealand.
The society has urged members of the public not to panic.
“Keep adequate stock of your medications and food supplies with you but be sure to not overstock as other people need their supplies too,” Mr Chand said.
More than 138,000 people have been infected globally and over 5000 have died from COVID-19.