Many parts of India reported an exponential rise in hand sanitiser sales in February as positive cases continue to surge. (Photo: Getty Images)

Not just surgical masks but demand for alcohol-based hand sanitisers have skyrocketed since January following recommendations by doctors and medical experts to use it as precautionary measures against the global coronavirus outbreak.

Many reports from different parts of the world show that the rapid spread of the virus across 60 countries has triggered panic buying, resulting in acute shortage as well. While places like the UK saw almost 260 per cent increase in hand sanitiser sales, it was up by around 73 per cent in the US.

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In fact, all affected countries have reported a surge in sales of hand sanitisers and N-95 masks as both have been recommended by medical experts as a precaution against the virus outbreak.

SHOPS RUN DRY IN INDIA

Many parts of India also reported an exponential rise in hand sanitiser sales in February as positive cases continue to surge. A PTI report indicated that many shops and online e-commerce sites are running out of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

Commenting on panic buying witnessed in Noida after Tuesday’s scare, Gautam Buddh Nagar Chemists Association President Anoop Khanna said the demand shot up just around 10 am after news reports of suspected cases in the area.

Another person who owns two pharmacies in Sector 27 and 37 in Noida said people kept visiting his shops throughout the day, resulting in a shortage of both masks and hand sanitisers.

"Till yesterday I was selling an average 12-13 masks, but today I have sold around 200. All stocks cleared and there is a shortage now. Same is with hand sanitisers, we have run out of supply and so have several other pharmacies," Sanjay Gupta, the owner of the two pharmacies, said.

Not just Noida but many other places in India have also witnessed panic buying of masks and hand sanitisers and it could likely lead to a shortage.

As demand for hand sanitisers continues to overrun supply, it could even trigger a hike in the price of hand sanitisers as many retail stores could inflate prices due to shortage.

But FMCG companies in India say that they have adequate stocks at the moment to cater to the heightened demand.

A media report quoting a spokesperson from Hindustan Unilever, which sells hand sanitisers and hand wash gels, said the company has adequate stocks at the moment to meet increased demand.

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