THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday reminded commercial establishments selling drugs and medicines to secure authorization from the agency or else face sanctions.
In a televised public briefing, FDA spokesperson Pamela Sevilla said non-pharmacies and drugstores are required to secure Licenses to Operate (LTOs) from the agency if they are selling pharmaceutical products.
“When we say non-prescription drugstores, those are the supermarkets or convenience stores that are not drugstores but still sell medicines,” said Sevilla.
“Such establishments are similarly required to have Licenses to Operate (LTO) from the FDA,” she added.
The FDA official said they have ongoing operations to find business establishments that dispense drugs sans authorization.
“There are many of them (unauthorized) and the number is growing. Through our Field Regulatory Office, we shall continue doing post marketing surveillance to find those not following our rules,” said Sevilla.
