Pharmacy penalised for selling face masks above ceiling price
KUCHING: A pharmacy here was compounded RM10,000 by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) after it was caught selling face masks at RM1 more than the maximum gazetted price.
KPNDHEP Sarawak chief enforcement officer Mohd Hanizam Kechek said the pharmacy was found to have committed the offence after an enforcement team went to its premises at 3.30pm on Tuesday following a complaint from the public.
In a statement issued yesterday, he said the team found the outlet was selling N95 face masks at RM7 per unit, which was above the RM6 per unit price fixed by the ministry.
Mohd Hanizam said the pharmacy was penalised under Section 11 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 for selling or offering to sell controlled items not according to the gazetted maximum retail price.
It was learnt that the proprietor of the pharmacy has already paid the compound.
“The ministry is taking stern action against traders who are taking the opportunity to sell face masks at unreasonable prices, at a time when there is greater public demand for these masks due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“There are provisions under this Act where legal actions can be taken against the offenders. For individual offenders, he or she can be fined by the court up to RM100,000 or jailed not more than three years or both, or compounded up to RM50,000.
“For offences involving companies, the company can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000, “he said.
According to a previous news report, five types of face masks now come under price control.
The maximum price of onelayer-type ear loop face mask is RM7 per box containing 100 pieces; two-layer-type ear loop face mask at RM10 per box and cost 20 sen each; threelayer-type head and ear loop face mask is at 80 sen each; threelayer-type tie-on face mask at 80 sen each; and N95 mask at RM6 each.
As such, Mohd Hanizam called on consumers to report any cases of traders selling these face masks beyond the control price, to immediately report the matter to the KPDNHEP operations rooms throughout the state.
The public can contact the Kuching operations room on 082-466012, Sri Aman (082323836), Sarikei (084-657751), Sibu (084-335622), Kapit (084-799678), Mukah (085-412862), Bintulu (086-332176), Miri (085-412862) and Limbang/Lawas (085-217414).
Alternative, they can contact the KPDNHEP call centre on 1-800-886-800, or email to eaduan@kpdnhep.gov.my or aduan2kpdnhep.gov.my, or submit the complaint through its Ez ADU app or through WhatsApp on 019-2794317 using their mobile phones.
“You can come to any of the nine KPDNHEP offices in Sarawak to lodge the report,” he added.