Pharmacies in Jujuy have reported on Mar. 29 that there is an adequate supply of mosquito repellents and dengue vaccines, but demand has dropped significantly compared to previous years.
The decrease in sales comes during a season typically marked by concerns over mosquito-borne diseases. Silvina Figueroa, a pharmacist, said there have been no shortages of repellents this year. She explained that prices vary depending on the brand, type, and size, stating: “Prices range from 7,000 or 8,000 pesos up to 15,000. It varies according to the presentation such as cream or aerosol.”
Figueroa described the current season’s sales as “very calm,” attributing this trend mainly to a lower number of dengue cases reported in the province. “There was not as much demand as other years but there were not many cases of dengue either,” she said.
She also addressed recent reports about chikungunya cases but noted these have not yet influenced public behavior: “People still haven’t become aware; there haven’t been requests or inquiries at pharmacies,” Figueroa said.
According to Figueroa, other factors contributing to reduced consumption include economic conditions and seasonal activities such as vacations and the start of classes. She concluded: “There are many factors: vacations, start of classes, and all that makes people relax about these issues.”
