Consumer protection society urges government to set price caps on health, sanitising products

AMMAN — The National Society of Consumer Protection (NSCP) said that it has received numerous complaints from people over the past few days regarding the lack of masks, gloves and sterilisers in the market as well as these products being sold at an “unacceptably” high prices when they are available.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, NSCP President Mohammad Obeidat said that “monopolistic traders are taking advantage of people's need in this exceptional circumstance and this is in obvious violation of consumer rights, especially in times of crisis”.

Obeidat added that with the operational return of some sectors, all of which are asked by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply to implement safety conditions, the increased demand on masks, gloves and sterilisers has caused an “inflation” in their prices.

Delivery driver Anas Elayyan told The Jordan Times in a phone interview that he bought a mask for JD3 in Amman and then bought the same mask at JD4 in Irbid, with the purchases being three days apart.

“It was the same type of mask, KN95, but a 1JD difference. The pharmacist said that this is because there is a shortage of supply,” Elayyan added.

People in Jerash have taken to social media to protest that some pharmacies in the governorate claimed that they only had “extra protective” face masks priced at JD13.5, with cheaper options “out of stock”.

The society has called on the relevant official authorities to set price caps for all health materials necessary for public safety conditions, most important of which are masks, gloves and sterilisation materials.

It also demanded a re-evaluation of the price ceilings that were placed on alcohol sterilising products and gloves, saying that “the price ceilings that were set were high and should be reduced to suit the purchasing power of people”.

Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply Spokesperson Yanal Barmawi said in remarks to The Jordan Times that “the supply of masks and other necessary health products in the market will be increased as the demand increases, ensuring that no pharmacy or other establishment can use supply and demand as a reason to raise prices”.

He added that “this week, local factories will start distributing their products in the local market. As for price caps, the ministry has been receiving citizens’ complaints and closing down any establishment that violates the rules.”

The society demanded punishments and supervision to be intensified, both of which the ministry said it has been doing to “ensure the imposition of penalties against violators who exploit the people's needs”.

“The consumer’s right to buy basic needs and the right to live in a safe, healthy environment are two of the eight consumer rights approved by the United Nations in 1985 and ratified by the government at that time,” highlighted Obeidat.

"Patriotism in this exceptional circumstance would be to distribute health products to the poor free of charge and to provide them to the rest of the citizens at reasonable prices commensurate with their living situation as an indication of social solidarity,” he underlined.