A consumer group has supported the call of medicine manufacturers for consumers not to overstock on vitamins and some medicines in the wake of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) in a statement urged government and the private sector to assure consumers of continuous and adequate supply of medicines .
The group said consumers can look forward to a big relief through reduced prices of medicines once Executive Order (EO) No. 104 or the Maximum Drug Retail Prices Act takes effect no later than June 2, 2020.
Vic Dimagiba, LKI president ,said the EO slashes by as much as 50 percent retail prices of medicines for hypertension , diabetes, cancer, asthma , analgesics, among others .
“The reduced prices will help patients, many of whom are facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19,” Dimagiba said.
The consumer group cautions consumers against “stockpiling “ at the expense of other consumers who are in need of medication following the admission of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) that the high demand for vitamins and specific medicines has led to an artificial shortage of these drugs.
PHAP said last week its members are helping ensure an uninterrupted supply of life-saving medicines needed for the management of COVID-19, and other conditions such as cancer, diabetes, respiratory and heart diseases.
The group said its members are doing their best to increase manufacturing capacity, keeping their plants and warehouses open to maintain steady supply of medicines. They are also managing their inventories, especially the supplies that come in.
