DOH, DTI set purchase limit on paracetamol, other flu medicines
The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced on Tuesday, Jan. 11, that they have set a purchase cap on paracetamol, carbocisteine, and other medicine for flu-like symptoms.
The announcement came following reports of shortage of paracetamol brands in retail outlets, and a sudden surge of flu-like illnesses and COVID-19 cases in the Philippines that resulted in an unusual demand for, and possible hoarding by, consumers of over-the-counter medicines.
The DTI and DOH said in its joint memorandum that the purchase limit is set to prevent artificial shortage and price escalation of over-the-counter flu medicines, and to make these basic medicines available to Filipinos once the supplies become stable.
According to the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 22-01, retailers are urged to limit the sale, and consumers to limit the purchase of the following medicines:
Paracetamol
- 500 mg. tablet — 20 pcs. per individual; 60 pcs. per household
- 120 mg./5 mL, 60 mL suspension — 5 per individual; 10 per household
- 250 mg./5 mL, 60 mL suspension — 5 per individual; 10 per household
Phenylephrine hydrochloride
- 2.5 mg./500 mg./125 mg. per 5 mL, 60 mL suspension — 5 per individual; 10 per household
- 10 mg./2 mg./500 mg. tablet — 20 pcs. per individual; 60 pcs. per household
Chlorpheniramine maleate
- 2.5 mg./500 mg./125 mg. per 5 mL, 60 mL suspension — 5 per individual; 10 per household
- 10 mg./2 mg./500 mg. tablet — 20 pcs. per individual; 60 pcs. per household
Carbocisteine
- 500 mg. capsule — 20 pcs. per individual; 60 pcs. per household
- 500 mg./5 mL, 60 mL suspension — 5 per individual; 10 per household
- 200 mg./5 mL, 60 mL suspension — 5 per individual; 10 per household
In the joint memorandum, establishments and the public are reminded that online selling of medicines is not permitted, unless otherwise allowed by the Food and Drug Administration under existing rules and regulations.
Violators will be held liable under the Price Act, Consumer Act of the Philippines, and other laws.
On Jan. 4, the DOH belied reports of ongoing shortage of some paracetamol drug brands. “The DOH would like to assure the public that while there is an increase demand for such products, there is no ongoing shortage in the Philippines,” it said in a Jan. 4 statement.
At the time, the DOH also asked the public to refrain from hoarding and panic-buying medicine as “paracetamol has many generic alternatives in the market, which are available in many drug stores nationwide.”
On Jan. 5, DTI released a statement saying there have been temporary stock outs of some popular brands of paracetamol in retail branches. “Rest assured that there is enough supply, and deliveries are being expedited to replenish retail inventories,” DTI said then.
