Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on Wednesday to close pharmacies that are inflating the prices of sanitary masks and antivirals, the subject of increased demand in Russia since the start of the epidemic in China of the new coronavirus. The prices of medical masks and antiviral drugs have soared in some pharmacies in the country since the end of January, to the point that the Russian Antimonopoly Service (FAS) announced last week to address this issue. These pharmacies, "you have to revoke their license, that's all," said Vladimir Putin, 67, at a meeting of the Russian government. "They decided to get rich as well," he said, saying that closing some pharmacies could serve as a lesson to others and dissuade them from inflating prices.
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Russia has a very large network of pharmacies and no shortage is likely to occur if some are closed, assured the master of the Kremlin. Russia confirmed last week that it has registered its first two cases, Chinese nationals, one in the Urals, the other in the Far East.
Russia closed 4,250 km border with China due to coronavirus
The country has also adopted a series of measures, including the closure of its some 4,250 km of border with China, the cut of rail links, the restriction of flights or the restoration of the visa regime for Chinese tourists, many in Russia, and the suspension of their issuance for workers from China.
Many Russians in recent days have complained on social networks that there were no more masks in certain pharmacies or that their price had increased considerably. "There are pharmacies that have raised the price of a mask to 70-100 rubles (1 to 1.40 euros), which was sold for 1.5 rubles before the New Year," said vice president Tatiana Golikova -Russian Prime Minister for Health, at the government meeting. According to her, the Russian authorities have set up a special telephone line intended to inform citizens of the situation with the new coronavirus and to receive calls on the rise in prices in pharmacies.