YANGON – Prices of medicines have started to climb and households are carrying smaller stocks with the uncertain foreign exchange outlook, said pharmacists. 

Prices of medicines have climbed by about 5-10 per cent in recent weeks affecting about 80 per cent of the medicine market as the value of the Kyat has fallen by about 20 per cent against US$ dollar, according to pharmacies at Shwe Pyae Sone wholesale market.

“Prices of imported medicines have increased but surgical masks have not.  Buyers are not buying much for stock as before and only what they need to use. Although many trade routes blocked, medicines are still coming through,” said Ko Pho Hla from Ko Pho Hla pharmacy.

“Prices of medicines have increased. The medicines we are selling are imported from India,” said a pharmacist from Mingalar Taungnyunt Township. 

Although medicines taken by most people are not out of stock, some medicines are in short of supply.

“At the present, Betadine is short of supply and we are still considering whether to restock Biogesic or not as prices have increased,” said a pharmacist in Thingangyun Township.