spot_img
28.1 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Buy generics, anti-flu drugs out of stock

- Advertisement -

The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) admitted Tuesday there was a temporary shortage of certain paracetamol brands in Metro Manila while the Department of Trade and Industry urged the public to buy generic medicines.

SHORTAGE. A list shows the common cough, colds and fever medicines that are not in stock at a drug store near the Philippine General Hospital in Manila on January 4, 2022. The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines said the temporary shortage of certain paracetamol brands was being experienced in some areas in Metro Manila. Norman Cruz

The pharmaceutical group made the statement after the Department of Health said there was enough supply of anti-flu pills in the country.

“With the heightened vigilance against the Omicron variant, and a number of people getting sick due to various reasons, we are experiencing a temporary shortage of certain brands of paracetamol in some areas,” PHAP said in a statement.

But the group said patients could ask their doctors or pharmacists for “several alternatives if these brands were unavailable.”

PHAP said that paracetamol was available in various dosage forms and strengths, combination products, and under several hundred brands.

- Advertisement -

“Alternative analgesics are also available,” the group said, adding “At the moment, we have enough supply of analgesics available in our inventory.”

The DOH had appealed to the public not to hoard these medicines and not resort to panic-buying as it vowed to continue working with other agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Food and Drug Administration in securing the needed health products as part of the COVID-19 response.

Netizens have raised concerns on social media about their difficulties in purchasing paracetamol and other pills as these were out of stock in drug stores.

In a statement, pharmaceutical company Unilab, the maker of popular paracetamol brand Biogesic, said: “Some of our brands are temporarily out of stock in select drug stores due to extraordinary demand. We assure you that we are working with our partner drug stores and retailers to accelerate replenishment at the soonest possible time.”

Meanwhile, Trade secretary Ramon Lopez said there was a tight supply of branded medicines like Biogesic and Decolgen due to “timing of deliveries to replenish the stocks in the branches of these drugstores.”

“In particular, popular brands Biogesic or Decolgen may be having temporary out of stock situations. Their manufacturer had a delivery cut off last December but deliveries started coming this week,” he said.

In the recent weeks following the dramatic increase of COVID cases, reports of shortage and unavailability of branded medicine surfaced following complaints from consumers.

However, some brands, including generic brands, have ample supply.

Rhea Generics products are not affected as much because their lines are supplied by major companies, the DTI noted.

“There are other brands of paracetamol in the market so there is no shortage. There are also a lot of generic products in the market,” he said.

The DOH, in a statement, said it already consulted with the major drug store chains and local manufacturers and suppliers on the status of supply of paracetamol and other pills for flu.

“The DOH would like to assure the public that while there is an observed increased demand for such products, there is no ongoing shortage in the Philippines,” the DOH said.

“Paracetamol has many generic alternatives in the market, which are available in many drug stores nationwide. We are constantly monitoring the status of supply of critical medicines for COVID-19 including supportive medicines for symptomatic treatment,” it added.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles