Ebola: Instant hand sanitizer scarce, expensive

Since the deadly Ebola Virus killed Patrick Sawyer in Nigeria, hundred of thousands of people have improved their personal hygiene with many turning to instant hand sanitizers for safety and succor. The increase in demand for hand sanitizers have however led to the scarcity of the product as well as an increase in price.

PM News correspondent in Benin reports that sudden increase in the demand for germs disinfectants otherwise known as “instant hand sanitizer” has resulted in scarcity of the product as well as hike in its price in Benin City.

The product has suddenly disappeared on the shelves of many pharmaceutical stores in the state capital, thereby necessitating those that are in need to ask for the product outside the state capital.

At Zoro pharmaceutical store, located along Airport Road, the product is said to be a fast moving consumer goods following the suspected outbreak of Ebola virus in the country.

In Lagos, the story is no different. The dearth of the product in many supermarkets and pharmaceutical stores have led to an increase in price.

Anita John, a businesswoman said that the product have become very scarce and expensive following the outbreak of Ebola Virus. “People are misusing the hand sanitizer which I strongly believe is the reason for this scarcity. In an average super mart or pharmacy you won't find unless you go to the big stores and not all of them have it because of the rush to buy the product,” she said.

Joseph Ayodele, a teacher at a private school who is currently observing the summer school said parents have struck fear into the heart of their wards. “Parents have bought hand sanitizers for their kids and these students carry them about like a perfume. They step out of the class every five or ten minutes to wash their hands with sanitizers following instructions from their parents. They disrupt class activity and increase the fear of the virus,” he said.

Moses Oluwatosin, however thinks that the product in no longer scarce. He said the product can be found in an average store has there's been an increase in the supply of the product. “When the fear of Ebola began people rushed to supermarkets to buy the product in cartons but with the sensitization exercise people have realized that soap and water is sufficient,” he said.

source: http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/