THE Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPHA)-Davao supports the crafting of local laws regulating selling of medicines in sari-sari stores and similar establishments to ensure the safety of consumers.
Dr. Kenny Merin, president of PPHA-Davao, said sari-sari stores and other similar establishments do not have the necessary documents and regulations to legally sell and distribute medicines, as well as the means to identify if such medicines are counterfeit or not.
“Sari-sari stores do not have registered and licensed pharmacists to make sure that the medicines being dispensed are acquired, stored, and dispensed with quality,” Merin told SunStar Davao on February 17.
Meanwhile, Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, chairperson of the Committee on Health, said they are studying the possibility of passing an ordinance as suggested by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but is awaiting discussions with FDA-Davao.
“At the moment, we are studying the possibility of passing an ordinance,” she told SunStar Davao.
According to Merin, sari-sari stores and non-drug outlets are not allowed to sell medicines as they do not have the authority and approval from the FDA.
Merin said based on Republic Act 10918, or the Philippine Pharmacy Act, pharmaceutical products can only be sold in retail drug outlets licensed by the FDA and only professional pharmacists can dispense prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
The PPHA-Davao president said that more actions supporting the FDA can be taken in order to properly monitor and apprehend the illegal selling of drugs in the small local businesses.
“Always nila reported problem is lack of manpower ang FDA. Pwede with a city ordinance maka-support sa lack of manpower. Pwede sad mag deputize na pwede mo-support ani nga function to reprimand and penalize illegal sellers of medicines (FDA said they lack in manpower. We can address this with a city ordinance supporting manpower or deputize more authorized personnel to reprimand and penalize illegal sellers of medicines),” Merin said.
The FDA urged local government units on February 14 to implement ordinances that will prevent sari-sari stores from selling medicines.