DOH & DTI Warn Public Against Sellers of Medicines, Food Supplements Online
DOH and DTI have warned the Filipino consumers against the online sellers selling medicines and food supplements.
On Tuesday (June 1, 2021), the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned the public to avoid buying medicines and food supplements from sellers with no physical stores.
Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said that there are lot of online shops selling antibiotics, vitamins, and supplemental medicine without proper permits. The numbers of illegal online sellers are increasing especially during this time of COVID-19 pandemic.
Castelo said that they were already communicating with online platforms to remove the unregistered sellers online. Buyers could not chase the sellers if something wrong happens after consuming the medicines.
The DTI official explained that online sellers of medical supplies must secure License to Operate, Certificate of Medical Device Notification and Certificate of Medical Device/Product Registration, according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Circular No. 2020-010.
DOH pharmaceutical division chief Dr. Melissa Guerrrero lamented that online drug stores have no pharmacists. She also explained there is danger in selling medicines without prescription.
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“Kung online drug store, walang pharmacist ‘yan. May panganib din po ‘yung maling pagbibigay ng gamot,” Guerrero said.
What can you say about these online stores? Just feel free to leave your comments and reactions to this article.
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