Bikash Roy, manager of S Rahman Pharmacy in Banani Road No. 2, said that SMC has stopped the supply of products for two weeks till the end of January.
When it resumed supplies in the second week of February, it was charging a higher price.
“When customers ask us why the prices went up, we simply say it was the company’s call. We have nothing to do with it.”
Abul Hussain, owner of Takwa Pharmacy in Kuril Biswa Road area, said Panther condoms and Famicon pills are in high demand and the prices of these products have gone up.
“The company hiked the prices of popular products. If we ask about it, they say it was because of the high value of the dollar. But if the dollar increases by Re 1, they increase the price of the product by Rs 3.”
Other pharmacy employees also said that SMC had stopped supplies for about 15-20 days before resuming deliveries with higher prices.
Inam Ahmed, a bank employee in Kuril Biswa Road area, said such a sudden price hike was “unreasonable”.
“Increasing prices without any rhyme or reason and ignoring government measures is possible only in Bangladesh.
“Toothpaste prices have increased from Rs 80 to Rs 110, toilet paper has now increased from Rs 25 to Rs 32. People do not bargain while buying birth control supplies, but the increase in their prices puts more pressure on our expenses “