President Duterte urged Filipinos not to buy medicines from “sari-sari” stores.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE — The Philippine President urged Filipinos not to buy medicines from “sari-sari” stores.
The President reiterated his warning to the Filipino people to refrain from buying medicines from “sari-sari” stores as those medicines can make their ailments worse.
In his “Talk to the People” public address last February 21, the President reminded Filipinos that they should only buy medicines in drugstores permitted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Ang mabili ninyo minsan diyan ay yung itinatapon na doon sa botika kasi expired na tapos nasalo yan sa sari-sari store,” the President said. “Kapag diyan ka bumili sa sakit ng ulo mo, pag-inom mo niyan ang sakit mo ulo, pati tiyan na, pati bulsa kasi pagdating ng panahon sa ospital another reseta ‘yan.. Iyan ang mangyari diyan.”
During the briefing, the President commended DILG Secretary Eduardo Año for issuing a memorandum circular that aims to curb the selling of medicines in “sari-sari” stores.
President Duterte also emphasized that local government officials should be monitoring the situation and reminding their constituents not to buy medicines from those stores.
READ ALSO: DILG Says “Sari-Sari” Stores May Apply For FDA License To Sell Over-The-Counter Medicines
Año earlier urged LGUs (local government units) to pass an ordinance banning the sale of medicines in community stores after the Food and Drug Administration reported that 78 stores in 3 regions were found illegally selling medicines.
Of this number, FDA Deputy General Oscar Gutierrez said that 9 stores were retailing fake medicines — including COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) medicines.
According to Año, “sari-sari” stores may apply for authorization from FDA to sell over-the-counter medicines.
Thank you for visiting Newspapers.ph. You may express your reactions or thoughts in the comments section. Also, you may follow us on Facebook as well.
