DTI: Avoid Impulse Buying of Over-the-Counter Meds, Enough Meds Supply Ensured

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) once again urged the public to avoid panic buying of over-the-counter medicines such as flu medicines and paracetamol as COVID-19 cases continue to spread across the country.

With the continuous hoarding of flu medicines and paracetamol, DTI and the Department of Health (DOH) issued Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No.22-01, which limits the purchase of paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride, carbocisteine, and chlorphenamine maleate paracetamol per person and per household.

DTI and DOH issued the JMC despite drug manufacturers saying that capping the purchase of over-the-counter medicines are not needed as supplies are ample.

“The DTI urges the general public to avoid impulse purchases and to consider generics of these over-the-counter medicines. Rest assured that we are working closely with the manufacturers of these products to ensure enough medicine supply,” DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said in a statement Wednesday.

The move comes as Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, as amended, mandates the DOH and DTI to ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices.

500-milligram tablet of paracetamol will be limited for 20 tablets available for purchase per person, or 60 tablets available for purchase per household.

For phenylephrine hydrochloride, chlorphenamine maleate, paracetamol in suspension formula, an individual may buy five, and 10 per household for the dosage of the mentioned medicines.

Tablet form of the said medicines will still be limited to 20 tablets per person, or 60 tablets per household.

Common cough medicine carbocisteine will also be limited to 20 capsules per individual, and 60 capsules per household for the 500-mg dosage, while the suspension form will be limited to five per individual, or 10 per household.

Retailers are mandated to inform the public about the limit of purchases for flu medicines. (GFB)