MedPlus in the dock: Package shows with respirator; mask delivered without valve

By Zahid H Javali

MedPlus is at it again. After we broke the story about how fake N95 masks are being sold by the Hyderabad-based online pharmacy chain, there is some visible change. Now, instead of a non-branded packaging of masks in an open and transparent plastic cover, they are sending the masks in a sealed branded packaging which shows that the mask meets all the specifications.

However, there is a twist. While we ordered a KN95 mask without valve, the package showed one with the valve. We were pleasantly surprised. But the real scam was inside the packaging.

Instead of the valve, we got a KN95 mask without one. But how did the packaging convey something else, while the product inside was not a respirator mask? If this is just confined to a packaging issue, one can still forgive this vendor from MedPlus. But what if the product isn’t lab-tested to ensure that it is promising the 95% efficiency it claims to possess?

The standard MedPlus response to such issues is always that they will check the veracity of our complaint, and change their vendor to ensure compliance. Until then, we advise that you buy personal protective equipment from reputable brands. If you find that the local shops are not stocking authentic masks, we would still suggest you to buy them, because any form of facial protection is better than none.