Manufacturers of masks, gels ramp up output

Manufacturers of face masks and hand-cleaning gel are ramping up production to meet rising demand amid the type-A (H1N1) flu outbreak.

The Internal Trade Department is meeting today with 20 makers of masks, liquid soap, alcohol gel and medical products to ask them to increase output and set prices fairly to ensure adequate and affordable supplies for the public, Yangyong Phuangrach, director-general of the department, said yesterday.

Witit Artavatkun, managing director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, a state enterprise, said production of 500-millilitre alcohol-gel bottles - the most popular size - would be raised from 5,000 bottles a day to 20,000 next week. They now retail at Bt100.

"We may need to prepare to raise daily production to at least 50,000 soon, since people have grown more cautious about hygienic cleanliness," he said.

The GPO's plan to step up centella gel was blocked by a shortage of centella. A new formula could be introduced within 10 days as an alternative, he said.

Boonyarith Mahamontri, managing director of Lion Corporate (Thailand), expects demand for hand gel to shoot up by a factor of at least 10.

Consumption could skyrocket in the winter when flu thrives more than when temperatures are high, he said.

Lion can accommodate the demand, but he did not reveal his plant's current capacity utilisation. Lion produces hand gels and hand-foam soap.

Witit said the GPO might also consider producing its own face masks. At present, it imports masks for domestic sale at the cost of Bt1.50 apiece.

It recently placed orders for 10 million masks, though usually it sells only 3,000 pieces a month.

N2K Safety Equipment Centre, a local distributor of face masks, has to deal with many factories to produce more masks as inventory has run out, said Jakraphan Katechangsuwan, a salesman.

Orders have been raised from tens of thousands a day to more than 100,000, but some makers complained about the shortage of raw materials.

Face masks are sold at different prices, with the standard one wholesaling for Bt2.25. This could be retailed at Bt3.

As the public is starting to panic over catching the flu, gels and masks have reportedly flown off of shelves, with prices for available ones soaring.

Chakrin Chedchai, the owner of Mor Ya Plaza drugstore in Nakhon Ratchasima, said he had been selling tens of dozens of face masks and gel a day, and stocks had been depleted quickly.

Other stores face the same situation, he said.

Somyos Lertlamyong, the owner of Somyos drugstore in Yala, said he had increased orders of face masks in response to the demand of Yala people, particularly in Betong district. From 40 to 60 people a day come to the drugstore to buy face masks.