SA pharmacy chain accused of hiking face mask prices

One of South Africa’s largest chain of pharmacies has been reported to the country’s Competition Tribunal for increasing face mask prices by as much as 261%.

Dis-Chem Pharmacies Ltd. was probed by the government competition commission after customers complained of the massive price hikes. 

“People who sell these essential products ought to appreciate that these are literally life-saving items right now,” Competition Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele said in a statement. 

Commissioner Bonakele accused the pharmacies of ‘taking advantage’ of consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. He went on to pledge his agency’s support to those affected by the price hikes.

“We will spare no effort in protecting the consumer,” he said. 

The commission reported that the price of 50 surgical face masks had been inflated from R43.47 (excluding VAT) in February to R156.96 in March.

Dis-Chem has so far refused to comment on the issue.

Photo: AFP