FDA urges LGUs to pass ordinance vs illegal selling of medicines

THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urged local government units (LGUs) on Monday, February 14, 2022, to pass ordinances that will prevent sari-sari stores from selling medicines.

In his report during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People Address, FDA officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Oscar Gutierrez Jr. said they have received 185 reports regarding sari-sari stores selling medicines, which is a violation to the Pharmacy Law and the FDA Act of 2009.

These were in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Bicol Region.

Of the 78 confirmed reports, nine were found to be selling fake medicines.

“Labintatlong (13) fake medicines po ‘yung nakita natin and mostly Covid-related medicines po. So in violation naman po ito ng Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs,” said Gutierrez.

(We found 13 fake medicines that are mostly Covid-related. This is in violation of the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs.)

“Ngayon po kung makikita po natin ‘yung sa Counterfeit Law kasi mayroon po ‘yang penalty of imprisonment. Mere possession po of counterfeit drugs, six months to one day po ang imprisonment in possession po,” he added.

(Based on the Counterfeit Law, there is a penalty of imprisonment. Mere possession of counterfeit drugs means six months to one day imprisonment.)

Gutierrez urged the public to buy their medicines only from 44,989 licensed drug stores nationwide and 3,536 Retail Outlet for Non-Prescription Drugs, which includes convenience stores and supermarkets.

He said they are in continuous coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for the conduct of operations against illegal sellers of medicines.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año expressed support to FDA’s campaign against counterfeit medicines and its illegal selling.

He said the DILG will issue a memorandum circular among the LGUs for the crafting of such ordinance.

“So, we will intensify this and make sure that our LGUs will join this campaign to get rid of these fake medicines because they are dangerous to the health of our constituents,” said Año. (SunStar Philippines)