COVID-19: Fake Sanitisers Could Risk People’s Lives, Homemade Not Effective Either

Pune: Fake sanitisers and ingredients worth Rs 27 lakh were confiscated and six people were arrested by Pune police on March 17. The manufacturers-sellers were reportedly putting labels saying 'Made in Nepal' and 'Made in Taiwan' on the bottles when the police raided the workshop in Marketyard, Pune.

The spread of COVID-19 infection has caused a sudden spike in the demand of hand sanitisers and masks across the country. And as a result, “fake” sanitisers or Ayurvedic sanitisers are being sold in the markets, which are of no help in guarding people against the coronavirus, according to experts.

This is the second time that Pune police have busted the racket of fake sanitisers in the last five days. Similar raids are being conducted in Delhi-NCR, while Hyderabad police, too, have busted a racket seizing ingredients worth Rs 1.4 crore.

The license to manufacture sanitisers can be obtained under Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1945 from Food and Drugs Authority. Sanitisers have 60-70% alcohol base. Anil Belkar, secretary, Chemist and Druggist Association of Maharashtra, told NewsClick, “Customers should check license number, batch number, manufacturing and expiry date and MRP before they buying sanitisers. Besides, they should ask for a receipt.”

As experts advise to use sanitiser in case soap and water are not available to wash the hands, many people have started buying big stocks of sanitisers. Many pharmacies are now reportedly out of stock.

To control the price, availability, and quality of sanitisers and masks, government has added these items to the Essential Commodities Act, while also invoking Disaster Management Act. But it has not stopped racketeers from selling fake sanitisers.

Belkar said, “Adulterated sanitisers that are mixed with solution or purely fake sanitisers with fake stickers are being sold. Chemists/pharmacists will not, but cosmetics, general or grocery shops can sell those. Racketeers try to sell them at the shops in slums or on outskirts where FDA will not raid.”

Lalita Yadav, a domestic worker who stays in Ektanagar, Pashan, also bought sanitiser bottle that is red in colour for Rs 120. Lalita said, “I go to various houses to work and need to clean my hands.” However, the fancy-looking bottle does not show the license number on its sticker.

R P Choudhari, deputy commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration of Maharashtra, informed that FDA has been raiding workshops or shops where fake sanitisers are being sold. He told NewsClick, “Our squads are inspecting chemist shops, general stores to see if sanitisers are fake. People need to be aware that there are fake sanitisers in the market.”

He also appealed to the customers to inform FDA office if they come across fake sanitisers are being sold in their vicinity. To help customers, Pune Municipal Corporation, FDA and Chemist and Druggist Association have started a helpline using which masks and sanitisers can be home-delivered.

Talking about Ayurvedic sanitisers, Belkar said, “There are no rules or regulations when it comes to Ayurvedic products. And now, Ayurvedic sanitisers are being sold everywhere. FDA should keep a check on it as it is not proved whether these products are useful to prevent the infection.”

Videos and posts about how to make sanitisers with aloe, camphor, etc. are going viral on the social media. Belkar said, “Nobody knows how effective home-made hand sanitisers are. People should use them at their own risk.”

He also demanded that Health Ministry issue an advisory regarding Ayurvedic and homemade sanitisers. “Otherwise, it could jeopardise safety of thousands,” he added.

Dr Prasad Kulkarni, a member of Pathologists and Microbiologists’ Association of Maharashtra, reiterated that government needs to create awareness about fake sanitisers, Ayurvedic sanitisers and homemade ones, as these would not save people from getting infected.

World Health Organisation has declared COVID-19 to be pandemic. As of now, 1.98 lakh people are infected and 7,991 patients have succumbed to the virus. India has reported 139 cases with maximum number of cases, 42, in Maharashtra. Three, so far, have died due the virus in the country.

Also read: Kerala’s Fight Against COVID-19: Roadmap for Other States