Public told: Don’t buy medicine online, sari-sari stores

CEBU, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has urged the public to buy medicines only in legitimate drug stores and not in sari-sari stores or even online.

The president issued the statement following proliferation of fake medicines as reported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA Deputy Director General Oscar Gutierrez reported to Duterte the successful operations of FDA, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against substandard and counterfeit medicines.

“Wag kayong magbili ng medisina sa mga sari-sari store…wag kayong magbili ng medisina sa mga fly-by-night na bukas lang pero walang masyadong pinagbibili pero yung mga peke mabibili mo doon…yan ang problema..wag kayong basta-basta bumuli,” Duterte said.

In two years that the country is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 85 individuals have been arrested nationwide for selling counterfeit drugs.

Joint operations of the FDA and NBI from 2018 to 2021 have resulted in 123 apprehensions. Gutierrez has also shared tips on how to reduce the risk of buying fake medicines for COVID-19 and other diseases.

He said the most effective way to avoid fake medicines is to buy medicines only from FDA-Licensed drug outlets and dispensed under the supervision of a PRC-registered pharmacist. Never buy medicines from a sari-sari store.

Gutierrez also advised the public to demand official receipt and do not buy from establishments that do not issue an O.R.

Duterte and the FDA also warned the public against buying medicines from online sellers.

Gutierrez disclosed that Rx (medicinal prescription) medicines are not allowed to be advertised, including online or social media. FDA only allows online ordering from FDA-licensed drug outlets with permits to do such.

“Online ordering allowed by FDA for as long as it is FDA-licensed drug outlet at may permit po to receive online ordering of medicine and to deliver this medicine..Hindi po lahat ng FDA-licensed drug outlets are allowed to take orders online and even to deliver them dahil may special permit yan,” said Gutierrez.

The President has expressed his disgust to people taking advantage of other people, even telling Gutierrez that whoever will be caught selling counterfeit drugs should be made to swallow it themselves for everyone to see its effect.

Duterte cautioned the public from taking fake medicines as it may worsen their condition and might even led to death.

“You take a fake medication that will only worsen your sickness, and maybe death will follow,” Duterte said.—  FPL (FREEMAN)