Burns Pharmacy was hit with 24 violations of raising prices on hand sanitizer and face masks. Photo: Tai’s Captures,
April 9, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
A Forest Hills pharmacy has been hit with a lawsuit for hiking up prices during the coronavirus pandemic.
Burns Pharmacy, located at 68-04 Burns St., is one of three stores accused of price gouging. The store was hit with 24 violations of raising prices on hand sanitizer and face masks and has been slapped with up to $12,000 in fines.
The other two stores facing charges were Hong Kong Supermarket and Thomas Drugs that are both located in Manhattan, according to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
“Taking advantage of New Yorkers in a crisis is unacceptable,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said yesterday when announcing the fines.
“Don’t even think about price gouging in our city. We won’t stand for it, and we will hold you fully accountable,” he said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio. Photo: NYC Mayors Office
DCWP said that it is actively inspecting stores based on consumer complaints.
Violations will be issued on any businesses that are found to be overcharging consumers by 10 percent or more for items or services that are needed to fight or treat the spread of COVID-19, DCWP said.
Since March 5, DCWP said it has received more than 7,200 complaints and issued more than 2,700 violations for price gouging, according to the agency.
DCWP said that it encourages consumers who are overcharged to file a complaint at nyc.gov/dcwp or by contacting 311 and saying “overcharge.”
