“Unfortunately, such unnecessary bulk purchases deplete stock and deny others access to essential goods”
THE SOUTH African Pharmacy Council has discouraged panic-fuelled bulk purchases of essential supplies and medicinal items amid the coronavirus outbreak
Regulator
The regulator of the pharmacy profession in South Africa, the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC), yesterday called on members of the public to desist from purchasing unnecessarily large amounts of medicinal and other essential supplies such as hand sanitisers, face masks, and disinfectants, amongst others.
In recent weeks, several pharmacies across the country have been reported to have experienced stock shortages due to panic-fuelled bulk buying of effervescent immune-boosters, hand sanitisers and other medicinal and essential items, as well as attempts to bulk purchase prescription medication.
“Unfortunately, such unnecessary bulk purchases deplete stock and deny others access to essential goods,” the Registrar and CEO of the South African Pharmacy Council, Amos Masango, said yesterday.
“We call on patients, pharmacists and members of the public to work together with all sectors of society to defeat Covid-19 by ensuring continuous availability of transmission prevention essentials for everyone. Buying more than you need can only help accelerate the spread of Covid-19 as it denies fellow citizens access to the same supplies,” Masango stated.
“We also wish to commend those pharmacy owners and managers who have implemented measures such as limiting items purchased per customer to curb a possible stock shortage.”
