As the haze continues to envelope the Klang Valley and the Air Pollutant Index (API) registers critical figures , pharmacies are cashing in on the brisk sales of protective face masks.

Yesterday alone, Farmasi Dutapharma in Taman Segambut SPPK sold 600 masks while Farmasi Vitamedic in Taman Sri Hartamas sold 1,250 masks since the first signs of the haze appeared.

Both outlets have ordered more stocks from their suppliers.

Despite the high demand, the two pharmacies have not hiked up the prices of the masks, keeping them at very affordable rates.

A disposable mask from Vitamedic costs 25 sen while a slightly higher quality conical mask is priced at 80 sen. Over a 1,000 conical masks have been sold and the pharmacy's proprietor has since placed a large order with her supplier.

'Haze season'

"However, I will no longer get two free boxes of masks with every purchase of 10 boxes, as I previously used to, from the supplier. But I am keeping my prices low even though other pharmacies are hiking up their prices," said the owner, who declined to be named.

She added that the suppliers claimed that there were no more complementaries because it is the 'haze season'.

Asked why she does not sell industrial masks, she said she could not get suppliers to provide her with them as she was a 'small operator'.

Industrial masks are higher quality respiratory masks which filter out more harmful particles and last longer.

"They don't sell it at all pharmacies," she complained.

The two pharmacies malaysiakini spoke to this morning also said they have recorded an increase in sales for anti-histamines, allergy medication and eye-drops.

Quality and price

Dutapharma pharmacist, owner and manager Sharifah Nurulqamar said she has stopped selling the 'double-ply' masks and is now selling a 'triple-ply' mask which is thicker and has three-layers of filters. It costs RM1.50.

Both pharmacists indicated that conical masks cost more because of its preferred shape.

As for the varied cost of masks, a shopper who purchased an industrial conical mask said she paid RM4.90 for it at the USJ Taipan Watson pharmacy in Subang Jaya.

However, a pharmacist at pharmacy franchise Guardian Pharmacy, was 'not allowed on company directive' to reveal its sales figures of masks to the media.

On mask qualities, Dr Nina Abdul Rahman-Davidson, a private medical practitioner in the Klang Valley, said the industry approved mask - N95 types - will suffice in reducing one's intake of dust particles.

"It filters out the dust and will help prevent respiratory diseases," she said adding that staying indoors was the best option. "If you stay indoors, use an air-conditioner if you own one. It's better because it has a filter. The air indoors is much healthier as the dust particles are given a chance to settle on the ground or on furniture.

"You therefore are not directly inhaling much dust into your system. When you're out, it's dry and windy and with all the construction work and pollution, one will be directly inhaling more dust particles," she said.

Nina also revealed that she had more clients facing haze-related illnesses over the past few days.

"Asthma patients suffer the most. There has been an increase in anti-histamines and cough medication prescriptions," she said.