PETALING JAYA: Community pharmacies in haze-hit areas, including Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, have experienced temporary drawdowns in N95 mask stocks, although there is no widespread shortage nationwide, says the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS).
Its president Amrahi Buang said demand for face masks had risen sharply during the haze, with some retailers reporting a more than 100% increase in medical-grade N95 mask sales.
However, the shortage of N95 masks was largely localised, with outlets in areas experiencing higher pollution levels facing the possibility of stock running low before their scheduled replenishment.
“Community pharmacies in Malaysia are generally not experiencing a widespread shortage of N95 masks, although stocks have temporarily run low in haze-affected areas such as Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya due to sudden spikes in consumer demand.
“Standard adult N95 respirators remain widely available at most major pharmacy chains, although outlets in areas with high pollution levels may occasionally run low before their scheduled weekly or bi-weekly restocking,” he said.
To manage demand, some retailers had introduced purchase limits to discourage bulk buying and help ensure stocks remain available to more customers.
Amrahi said the society expects supplies of N95 and other high-filtration masks to improve as distributors replenish stocks, although outlets in areas with higher demand could continue to face temporary gaps.
Major pharmacy chains were reportedly operating rolling restocking cycles, with some supplies replenished within 48 hours, though the timeframe may vary by outlet and product availability.
For children, he said NIOSH-approved N95 respirators are rarely designed for smaller faces, and an effective seal is essential for proper protection.
Child-sized alternatives, including KF94 and KN95 masks, may be available at pharmacies, subject to availability and proper fit.
Amrahi also said consumers should be alert to possible price mark-ups by third-party sellers during periods of high demand.
“Under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, N95 masks are classified as controlled items with a maximum ceiling retail price of RM6 per unit,” he said.
Meanwhile, MPS said pharmacies had reported increased demand for respiratory medicines and equipment during the haze period, though it has yet to receive reports of nationwide shortages or severe supply-chain delays involving essential respiratory medicines.
Products used by people with respiratory conditions include reliever inhalers such as salbutamol, nebuliser solutions, antihistamines and nasal sprays, as well as spacers that help patients use inhalers properly.
Availability may vary depending on the product and location, and individual pharmacies may experience temporary gaps before their next delivery, with pharmacies monitoring demand.
Amrahi advised people who could not obtain N95 masks to consider suitable alternatives, such as genuine KN95 or KF94 respirators, provided the masks fit properly.
He said surgical masks offer limited protection against fine haze particles and should not be considered equivalent to a well-fitting respirator.
