Within the framework of an increase in dengue infections and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, the provincial government, through the Ministry of Production, Science and Technology, carried out a survey to collect information from a commercial and consumer perspectivewith the aim of continuing to ensure the rights of consumers and provide support to the commercial sector, preventing inappropriate behavior in the different links of the chain.
This procedure yielded as a conclusion a normal supply of repellents and also normal values in consumer prices. Currently, the health context once again drives the demand for a good that has become an essential product, such as insect repellents.
These actions by the Ministry of Domestic Trade consisted of ex officio inspections, framed in Law No. 20,680 on Supply, to know the stock of merchandise and sale price both at the industrial, wholesale and retail level to the final consumer.
During the first week of April, inspectors from the provincial body visited pharmacies, supermarkets and self-service stores to collect information on stock and prices as of February 28. In recent days -in the same commercial premises- the agents repeated the inspection to verify the same data on April 11 and 12.
According to reports from the Province, in the retail channel it is possible to get repellents both in aerosol, cream and lotions, from $229 to $2,125, depending on the type of repellent, content and brands. In each case, the average price variation in pharmacies, supermarkets and supermarkets surveyed was 3% between the end of February and the beginning of April and 5% between the end of February and mid-April.
In addition, with the intention of carrying out an inspection that covers the entire chain, The Ministry of Domestic Trade also notified wholesale companies in Rosario and Santa Fe that provide repellents and the two national companies that are manufacturers of this product.
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Normal supply of products in shops
In this regard, the Secretary of Domestic Trade and Services, Juan Marcos Avianostated: “It seems appropriate to bring peace of mind to the population in relation to the stock of repellents and their circulation to replace and buy with peace of mind. In addition, the prices currently paid are almost the same as those registered at the end of February, with an increase of only 3% and 5% in the cases analyzed now, between the beginning of April and the end of February”.
On the other hand, the official brought predictability regarding the supply: “We did not find any indications to determine that merchandise may be missing. Likewise, we are going to continue doing this task, since it is important that the retail trade and the final consumer inform the usual channels of complaints for businesses and Consumer Defense, if they verify an anomaly or possible future situation that complicates the normal supply and price rhythm of mosquito repellents”.
For his part, the president of the Chamber of Kioskers and Allied Rosario and the Region, Marcos Difilipostressed that “the repellents in the city of Rosario will be found normally in the kiosks. Although in the last 15 days we had a higher demand, we are being supplied without having a shortage of this product and its price remains the same as 30 days ago“. Along the same lines, the president of the Centro Unión Almaceneros de Rosario, Juan Militostated: “There are no supply problems, despite the fact that much more than normal is being sold.”
The president of the Chamber of Supermarkets and Supermarkets of Rosario and the Region, Sergio Lopezdetailed: “We found no problems in terms of volumes delivered and prices paid. We are working normally.” And, finally, on the side of pharmaciesMateo Gamulinowner of a local macrocentro, indicated: “It is selling more and there are no difficulties”.
Active monitoring and comprehensive control
In terms of domestic trade, Provincial management was characterized by active monitoring in commercial chainsintensifying its activity when the demand for products whose supply is essential due to some emerging situation in the province grows.
In this line of work, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Services, among other actions, carried out a exhaustive control over the marketing of sanitary supplies during the pandemicapplied sanctions to delivery companies for excessive commissions, monitored compliance with price plans and programs, and effectively mediated in conflicts between different groups of consumers and their suppliers, such as the case of student trips in the city of Rosario.
