The Ministry of Health is currently working with the Fijian Consumer and Competition Commission to prevent price gouging in Fiji’s pharmacies.
This comes after the Ministry was alerted of the serious concerns that are being raised regarding some pharmacies in Suva raising the prices of the vaccine for meningococcal disease immediately after the Health Ministry announced that there is an outbreak in Fiji.
Fijivillage has received confirmation that one pharmacy which was selling the vaccine for around $170 to $200 before the announcement on the outbreak, is now selling the same vaccine for $325.
This is just the price of the vaccine without the cost of administering the vaccine.
The Ministry of Health says that they aware that private pharmacies have brought in vaccines.
They say that the only vaccines for meningococcal C will be effective in preventing anyone from getting meningococcal C during this outbreak.
The Ministry says that this includes the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine and the quadrivalent ACWY conjugate vaccine.
The Ministry is urging the public to check with multiple pharmacies before purchasing.
The Ministry says that the public should also keep in mind that vaccination is not a cure, it is only meant to prevent anyone from getting meningococcal C.
It adds that identifying symptoms early and seeking urgent medical treatment at a health facility is critical and will give a person the best chance of survival.
A person may start to feel sick within 3 to 7 days after coming in contact with the bacteria.
The Ministry says symptoms of meningococcal disease, especially for older children and adults include sudden fever, vomiting, headache, and stiff neck/backache.
It says other symptoms include nausea, eyes become sensitive to light, confusion and a rash where red/purple spots are seen on the skin.
The Ministry says the meningococcal disease can only be treated at a health facility with antibiotic medication specifically used for this disease.
