Amid rising complaints of flu-like ailments here, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 7 on Tuesday started monitoring major drugstores to prevent hoarding and overpricing of medicines for symptoms of influenza.
Joy Suralta, division chief of the DTI-7 Consumer Protection Desk, said her office has called up establishments here selling drugs for fever, cough, colds, headache, and other flu-like symptoms to ensure they follow the Joint Memorandum Circular 22-01.
Suralta said the circular sets the purchase limit or cap for paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride, carbocisteine, and chlorphenamine maleate paracetamol.
Under the said circular, each purchaser of 500-mg paracetamol is allowed to buy up to 20 tablets only and up to 60 tablets per household; five bottles for individual buyer of 120 mg/5 ml, 60-ml suspension and 250 mg/5ml, 60 ml or 10 per household.
For buyers of phenylephrine hydrochloride and chlorphenamine maleate paracetamol, up to five bottles are allowed for 2.5mg/500mcg, 125g per 5ml suspension, 60 ml or 10 per household; and up to 20 tablets for 10mg, 2mg/500mg, or 60 tablets per household.
Those who will buy 500 mg/5ml, 60 ml suspension of carbocisteine are only allowed up to five bottles or 10 per household; and also five bottles for individuals and 10 per household for 200mg/5ml, 60 ml.
In an advisory, the DTI-7 directed retailers of drugs to post notices in conspicuous places within their outlet, advising consumers about the limit of quantity they are allowed to purchase.
The advisory also warned of prohibition of selling medicines using online platforms, unless they are allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Under the Price Act, medicines and medical devices are under the Department of Health and FDA. DTI assists in the monitoring. DTI Consumer Group is also working for manufacturers to provide adequate supply of these medicines,” Suralta said in a message to the media.
Drugstores found violating the circular are liable under Price Act, Consumer Act of the Philippines and other laws, rules, and regulations.
Source: Philippines News Agency
