Replenishing supplies of anti-flu pills in drugstores that ran out of stock may take around two to three days, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) said Thursday.
PHAP Vice President Jannette Jakosalem, during a Super Radyo dzBB interview, said manufacturers were “doubling efforts” to resupply these medicines for symptoms like fever and colds within the next few days.
“On average, we could deliver within two to three days. It may take longer to deliver to provinces, especially those that are far from our warehouse,” Jakosalem said.
On Tuesday, local pharmaceutical giant Unilab Inc. apologized to its customers over the temporary shortage of some medicine brands in selected drugstores due to “extraordinary (high) demand.”
Jakosalem said there were other branded or generic medicines available for the public and they could thus ask the attending pharmacist.
“There are several areas and drugstores that have run out of stock for specific brands. That’s why we encourage people to buy other paracetamol or analgesic brands available,” she said.
Jakosalem said there would be no hoarding and price increase issues in properly registered drugstores as the pharmacy industry is heavily regulated.
She, however, said black markets selling flu medicines were possible and penalties for such would be charged by the government.
“In case of shortage, you couldn’t really avoid the entry of black markets. We could no longer control that,” she said.
Meanwhile, a lawmaker at the House of Representatives urged authorities to run after and arrest hoarders and price manipulators of medicines used to treat coronavirus disease symptoms amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.
Quezon City Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo said there were laws, regulations, and even local ordinances prohibiting hoarding and price manipulation of drugs and other important consumer products.
Castelo also said enforcement should be a combined effort of the concerned agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, and local government units.
“The concerned authorities should enforce these to protect the interest and welfare of our people, especially the poor. Hoarding denies the poor access to essential products like medicines and increases the prices of these commodities,” Castelo said in a statement.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said manufacturers of paracetamol and flu medicines have recommended not to put a cap on the purchase of these drugs amid tight supplies, particularly in Metro Manila and some provinces.
“The manufacturers suggested yesterday that there is no need to put a cap because they can supply and the drugstores would be able to put their quantity limits when they detect (an) unnecessary bulk purchase,” Lopez said.
In related developments, the Quezon City government warned it would prosecute hoarders and profiteers of flu medicines, including those for colds and cough.
Niño Casimiro, city legal officer, said those who engage in the hoarding of medicines, other basic necessities and prime commodities may face charges for violation of the Price Act and the Consumer Act.