MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health imposed a price freeze on over 200 essential medicines and medical supplies to ensure their availability to thousands of individuals affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano. Among the 218 items under the price cap are N95 masks, disposable masks, nebulizers, paracetamols, anti-histamines and antibiotics. The price freeze will be in effect for the duration of the situation, unless lifted by President Rodrigo Duterte. Several stores even in Metro Manila and north of the capital ran out of N95 face masks and ordinary surgical masks amid high demand due to ashfall from the erupting Taal Volcano. The Department of Trade and Industry earlier warned business against raising the prices of face masks and gas masks.

Source: Philippine Star January 15, 2020 02:56 UTC