The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) and Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) have announced new ceiling prices for face masks. This came in light of recent reports of runaway prices for the product in Malaysia.
According to the offical information released by both parties, retail prices for 1-ply masks are now at RM0.15 per unit and RM7 per box, 2-ply at RM0.20/unit and RM10/box, 3-ply at RM2/unit and RM100/box. Whereas, N95 face masks are now retailing at RM6 per unit and RM100 per box.
Also worth noting is that the wholesale prices for the surgical masks per box are RM2 less than in retail, with the 3-ply going for RM1.50 per unit. N95 mask wholesale prices per box are indifferent to its retail pricing.
MPS and KPDNHEP confirms that the new ceiling prices for face masks is enforced immediately on 20 March 2020. The former states that the increased pricing was inevitable due to the surge in raw material costs amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
Additionally, KPDNHEP is currently enforcing banned exports of face masks which was made effective on 18 March. However, the government is still allowing imports of the product in order to ensure a sufficient supply within the country.
For further reference, please refer to the links provided below.
(Source: MPS [ Website / Facebook ], KPDNHEP [ Website / Facebook ] | Header image: Polina Tankilevitch via Pexels )
