The State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition of the Republic of Armenia has conducted studies in over 90 pharmacies and pharmacy chains. Gegham Gevorgyan, Chairman of the SCPEC, said at today’s press conference.

“Some time ago masks were exported, not by big traders. The price of the mask has not risen at any of the major importers. Yes, there are networks that do not have a mask, but have not raised prices among importers. The fact that there is an artificial deficit or an unjustified rise in prices is not true. In small pharmacies there is an increase in mask prices, there are places with the cost of 200 and  300 drams. We were also received announcements that they are sold through List.am, they post ads on Facebook, but they are not business entities and are not in our domain,” Gegham Gevorgyan said.

He also said they were negotiating with foreign partners to import new lots, but also said that there was a shortage of masks worldwide and their prices had risen somewhat. If a new lot is available, it will be expensive.

The SCPEC Chairman called on small businesses to show social responsibility and to avoid unnecessary abuse, avoiding inappropriate talk. “The Ministry of Health also has lots for its own needs and has acquired some lots. The public sector has its own reserve. The big ones also have storage lots for their own needs,” Gegham Gevorgyan said.

As for disinfectants, its problem has arisen in the last two days when the first case of coronavirus was announced in Armenia.

“The situation is completely different today, there are disinfectants in pharmacies,” he said, adding that there are companies producing similar materials in Armenia, and they have been contacted to produce large quantities in the coming days.