90 businesses fined for price gouging hygiene products
Ninety businesses in Panama were slapped with fines a by the Consumer Protection Authority (ACODECO ) on Tuesday, March 17 for overcharging on hygiene and cleaning products,
Price controls were imposed on a group of 14 staples on March 13, to prevent gouging and stockpiling.
Of a total of 115 businesses visited 90 had anomalies due to not having invoices for products to check the maximum marketing margin of 23%, or charged a price higher than that established in the March 13, decree which covered disposable masks, antibacterial and antimicrobial products, alcoholic gels, alcohol for external use and vitamin which, was generated by the market distortion around the articles used to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
Fines for -businesses that do not comply with the regulations range up to $10,000 depending on the size of the company.
According ACODECO, 16 of the businesses that presented distortions are located in Panama City, while the remaining 74 are located in the interior.
The products that report most irregularities are disinfectants; liquid or stick antibacterial soap, tissue, and vitamin C.
A consumer reported through social networks that surgical masks are selling for $1 in some stores in the Rio Abajo area and for $2 in December 24.
Acodeco enabled the line 6330-3333 to file a complaint.
