Govt. invokes Disaster Management Act to ensure availability of Surgical & Protective Masks, Gloves

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New Delhi : National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) on March 13, 2020, directed to all State /UT Governments, in public interest, in order to deal with the situation arising out of COVID-19, to take necessary steps to ensure sufficient availability of Surgical and protective masks, Hand sanitisers and Gloves at prices not exceeding the maximum retail prices (MRP) printed on the pack size to deal with the situation arising out of COVID-19. State/UT Governments have also been directed to monitor the production and distribution of aforesaid items by the Manufacturers/ Importers, Stockists, and Retailers and ensure that hoarding, black marketing, and profiteering may not happen.

In cognisance of reports regarding non-availability and black marketing of Surgical and protective masks, Hand sanitisers, and Gloves and as a measure of preparedness to address the challenge of outbreak of COVID-19, NPPA had requested to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to notify the above mentioned items as drugs with immediate effect to enable NPPA to regulate the availability and prices of the Surgical and protective masks, Hand sanitisers and Gloves in public interest.

In pursuance of directions conveyed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide order dated on March 13, 2020, under clause (I) of sub-section (2) of section 10 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has been mandated to regulate the availability and prices of the Surgical and protective masks, Hand sanitisers and Gloves, according to a PIB release.