The Centre on 6th March, 2020 has warned that it will take strict action against the hoarding and black marketing of face masks and hand sanitizers amid the rising demand following the recent coronavirus outbreak. 

Union Minister for Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals D V Sadananda Gowda said, "Although the government does not have the latest update on supply-demand of these products, the real assessment of availability will be made." 

"While the industry players are saying there is no shortage of face masks and hand sanitisers in the country, but our department will assess the availability and accordingly take further action,"

As of now, the government has not received any reports of shortage or increase in the prices of these products. India has confirmed 31 cases of the virus being inflicted onto them with 29,000 people being put under surveillance. 

"Certainly, we have got sufficient medicines and sufficient APIs so that for another three months... there is no shortage in producing medicines," he said.

Author - Dyuti Pandya