THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered a crackdown on sari-sari stores found selling medicines and fake drugs that is against the law.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año told the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest those involved in unauthorized selling of medicines..
“We have already instructed the PNP to make sure that sari-sari stores are not selling medicines, and arrest those found violating the law against the selling of fake drugs,” he stressed.
Año likewise urged local government units (LGUs) to pass an ordinance against the selling of fake drugs in sari-sari stores.
“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,” Año added.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Officer-in-Charge Director General Oscar Gutierrez Jr. earlier reported that there are no less than 185 sari-sari stores in the National Capital Region, Regions IV-A and V are illegally selling medicines, including medicines for COVID-19.
“We will make sure that the LGUs and our police will take action on this because the health and welfare of our kababayan is at stake here,” Año remarked.
The DILG likewise appealed to the public to buy medicines from legitimate drugstores to ensure their safety and health.
“Fake medicines are scary and dangerous, especially that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. That is why I stress that when buying medicines, it is important that we buy from legal manufacturers,” the DILG chief said.
Under Section 30 of Republic Act No. 10918, otherwise known as the Philippine Pharmacy Act, only FDA-licensed retail drug outlets or pharmacies are allowed to sell medicines for public consumption.