State-approved stores will soon be able to sell PPE

Protective gear for doctors will now be available at select, government-approved medical stores in Mumbai and Thane. At present, Maharashtra has a manufacturing capacity of over 15,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) per day.

As per the instruction of the state government, under the Epidemic Diseases Act, all private clinics and medical setups must remain open during the lockdown. However, doctors have complained of lack of PPE, which offer essential protection from the virus.

Taking note of this, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has ensured the availability of PPE at select chemists. In Mumbai, 122 such shops have permission to sell PPE to doctors. There is no fixed rate for PPE, but would be priced around ₹1,000, said JN Mantri, joint commissioner, Maharashtra FDA.

“We have requested stores to charge reasonably and they have agreed. We have started with Thane and Mumbai but will expand to other districts,” said Arun Unhale, commissioner, Maharashtra FDA.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has welcomed the move. “Due to growing demand for PPE, traders are supplying it at a higher price to private hospitals. Many of them are not of adequate quality. But this new policy would be helpful for doctors,” said Dr Avinash Bhonwde, president, IMA Maharashtra.

PPE production in the state has risen by almost 15 times since March. “Recently, after receiving complaints about poor quality of PPE, we raided a medical store in Pune,” said Mantri.