INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday asked local government units (LGUs) throughout the country to pass ordinances banning the sale of medicines in all “sari-sari” stores.
Ano’s directive came after the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) reported during President Duterte’s Talk to the People last Monday that 185 stores were reported to have been illegally selling medicines from January 13 to February 11.
The FDA said 78 of these stores violated Republic Act 10918 or the Philippine Pharmacy Act. Of the 78, nine were found selling fake medicines, including COVID-19 medicines.
The FDA added that it will ask LGUs to pass ordinances that will prohibit sari-sari stores from selling medicines to prevent the sale of fake drugs.
Under RA 10918, only FDA-licensed retail drug outlets or pharmacies are allowed to sell drugs and medicines.
“LGUs should protect the health and general welfare of their constituents. We, therefore, urge LGUs to ensure that sari-sari stores within their jurisdictions are not selling any medicine because under the law, they are not authorized,” said Año.
Año also directed the PNP to arrest people illegally selling medicines, especially fake meds.
“We are also directing the PNP to ensure that sari-sari stores are not selling medicines and they should arrest violators of the law, especially those selling fake medicines,” said Año.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya urged the public to buy medicines only in drug stores and pharmacies authorized to sell medicines.
“Fake medicines are scary and dangerous, especially that we are in the middle of a pandemic,” said Malaya.
Possession of fake medicines, the DILG said, is punishable by imprisonment of not less than six months and one day under Republic Act 8203 or the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs.
