The Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday issued a joint memorandum circular (JMC) capping the purchase of flu medicines in the face of unusual demand.
JMC 22-01 which takes effect immediately sets the purchase limit on paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride, carbocisteine, and chlorphenamine maleate paracetamol until such time supply in the market stabilizes.
Purchase of paracetamol at 500 milligrams (mg) is limited to 20 tablets per individual and 60 per household. For suspension in 60-milliliter bottle, the limit is five for individual and 10 for household.
Same is true for Carbosistine suspension but for capsule of 500 mg, the cap is 20 per individual and 60 per household.
For phenylephrine hydrochloride and chlorphenamine maleate paracetamol, the limit is set at five bottles of 60ml per individual and 10 per household for suspension.
For tablet of 500 mg, the cap is 20 for individual and 60 for household.
According to the DTI, the JMC aims to prevent the artificial shortage and price escalation of over-the-counter flu medicines, and ensures the availability of the same.
The JMC affects all persons who purchase, sell or offer for sale the medicines covered by the circular.
The JMC directs retailers to post notices in conspicuous places within their outlets, advising consumers of the quantity of medicines they are allowed to purchase.
The DTI reminded the public that unless otherwise allowed by the Food and Drug Administration under existing rules and regulations, online selling of medicines is not permitted.
Violators of the JMC shall be liable under the pertinent and applicable provisions under the Price Act, Consumer Act of the Philippines, and other relevant laws, rules, and regulations, the DTI said.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said in a statement the agency together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) seized P30 million worth of counterfeit drugs, including paracetamol, last January 5 in two warehouses in Paranaque City.
The fake items carried the brands of Biogesic, Neozep, Bioflu, Immunpro, Ivermectin, Phenokinon F Injection, Medicol, Planax, Alaxan FR, MX3, among others.
The BOC said certification from the Food and Drug Administration and Unilab Pharmaceuticals, the makers of market-leading paracetamol brand Biogesic, stated the said medicines were counterfeit.
The counterfeit medicines were packed in cartons with tags of Chinese characters. The BOC said they were found in two storages at 7434B and 7434C Highland St., Marcelo Green Village and 27 Pearl St., Severina Subdivision, Km 18, Brgy. Marcelo, both in Paranaque City.
The BOC said suspect Adel Rajput, a Pakistani national who is 31 years old and a resident of Caloocan City, was brought to the Paranaque City Prosecutors’ Office for inquest and will face various cases for violation of Sec. 1401 (Unlawful Importation/Exportation), Sec. 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) paragraph (l) (5) in relation to Sec. 118 (Prohibited Importation and Exportation) paragraph (e) of the Customs Modernation and Tariff Act, and the violation of Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and its Pertinent Rules and Regulations).
His visa will be under a revocation process by the Bureau of Immigration, the BOC said.
Last November 24, 2021, BOC also nabbed fake medicines from a warehouse in Pasig City such as Alaxan, Tuseran Forte, Propan and Diatabs with an estimated value of P50 million.
With ANGELA CELIS
