Widely used medicines in Arakan State remain in short supply and are being sold on a quota basis amid the ongoing third wave of Covid-19, according to pharmaceutical companies.

Many commonly ingested drugs and supplements, such as vitamins C and D, paracetamol, Biogesic and Enervon C are out of stock locally due to shortages at their mainland Myanmar suppliers, said Ko Tun Min Oo, an administrative manager of Ekarit Ar Mahn Pharmaceutical Co.

“This is mainly due to the fact that pharmaceutical companies in mainland Myanmar are importing fewer drugs from abroad. Due to the low supply of medical supplies to mainland Myanmar, we are also receiving distributions on a quota basis. When we redistribute medicines to townships in Arakan State, we have to use a quota system to make everything convenient. We don’t have as many supplies as we used to,” he explained.

Ko Tun Min Oo said some pharmacies were likely to raise prices slightly, depending on market shortages.

There are reports of significant price increases, however.

“Biogesic usually costs around 600 kyats, but I had to pay 3,000 kyats to buy it. Some medicines are not available in every pharmaceutical store, so I have to ask at every pharmacy to buy,” said a resident of Sittwe who declined to be named.

U Tin Aung Oo, chairman of the Arakan State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he had written to the government asking it to ease inspections on cargo trucks to reduce the shortages of medicines and goods in Arakan State during the Covid-19 period.

“Drivers must obtain permission from the local government when transporting drugs. Doing so also poses a challenge for those on the ground. Some vehicles are no longer running as before. In the past, about four vehicles plied between Yangon and Sittwe, but now only one or two-run this route,” he said.

“Truck owners don’t want to carry drugs because it is very dangerous for them. That is why Arakanese pharmaceutical companies are facing difficulties. A letter has been sent to the local government to suspend inspections on the vehicles,” he added.

In addition to medicines, the prices of basic foodstuffs such as rice, cooking oil and iodised salt have reportedly been rising steadily in Arakan State.

The United League of Arakan (ULA) on August 7 warned merchants in Arakan State not to overcharge for basic foodstuffs.