Sales of masks and gel alcohol grow by up to 70% in pharmacies in Brazil

Due to the increase in contamination by Covid-19 after the arrival of the Ômicron variant, the Brazil records a high in sales of masks and gel alcohol in this first month of the year.

According to the National Association of Safety and Work Protection Material Industry, representative of the manufacturers that supply the market, the growth in demand for masks has increased by about 20% compared to the last quarter of 2021.

Leaving the manufacturers and going to the pharmacies, in one of the largest drugstore chains in Brazil, the sales volume of masks grew 70% in the comparison of the first 12 days of January 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. in gel registered an increase of 25%.

In another large national chain, in the last 20 days, gel alcohol had an increase in sales of 50% and masks of about 20%, compared to daily consumption in the months of October and November. In another large group of drugstores, a 30% growth in both products was identified in the last three weeks.

Despite the increase in searches, the National Association of Safety and Work Protection Material Industry reported that there is no chance of shortages of this equipment in the market. Production capacity increased from 10 million pieces per month in March 2020 to over 50 million in November 2021.

Demand for Covid-19 tests also showed a large increase in pharmacies, according to the Brazilian Association of Pharmacy and Drugstore Networks (Abrafarma). In the last panel released by the entity, between January 3 and 9, 482,126 people were tested for the disease in these establishments, an increase of 70% compared to the previous week. Of this total, 145,673 had a positive diagnosis for Covid. An average of 30.21%.

In Rio de Janeiro, several private laboratories suspended the scheduling of tests against Covid-19 on Wednesday (12), due to the lack of supplies. To avoid shortages, the Brazilian Association of Diagnostic Medicine (Abramed), responsible for more than 65% of exams in the private network, decided to change the indications for carrying out tests, giving priority to patients with severe symptoms or at high risk if they contract the disease.

Despite this, Abrafarma reported that, even with a punctual lack of test stock in some networks, there is no general shortage of inputs in the country.