Watchdog says prices for medical masks rise almost in all regions

MOSCOW, Feb 7 (PRIME) -- Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service registered growth of retail prices for medical face masks almost in all regions in January and is ready to take very tough measures in case of abuse by producers and wholesalers, the service said Friday citing Deputy Director Andrei Tsarikovsky.

“An increase in retail prices in January of this year was recorded almost everywhere. In some regions, including the Far East, mask prices rose 2–2.5 times. There were regions where we found an increase in prices by ten folds,” Tsarikovsky was quoted as saying.

“The antimonopoly service continues to closely monitor the situation with prices of medical masks. If we uncover abuses of a dominant position by large manufacturers or wholesalers, as well as collusions and cartels, we will apply all antitrust measures, including very severe penalties for cartel,” he said.

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