Duterte Warns Filipinos about Online Stores Selling Fake Medicines

Pres. Duterte Speaks to Filipino Consumers over Online Store Purchases

DUTERTE – Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte warned Filipino consumers about buying fake medicines from online stores.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of Filipinos are relying on online purchases for convenience and to save time, energy, and money. Online shopping is most common among individuals who have busy schedules and those whose usual purchases come from sellers located far from them.

In fact, many celebrities are into online purchases for their stocks at home. The online platforms made shopping even easier and more accessible. Also, there are wide choices online as there are countless online stores that offer a variety of products.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the benefits of online shopping even more. More and more individuals prefer purchasing their pieces of stuff including groceries and medicines from online stores to avoid being in public and the long queues.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
Photo Credit: Philippine Star

However, recently, Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued a warning to Filipino consumers to be wary of the online stores selling fake medicines. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the President advised the consumers to avoid online purchases unless there is another platform “where there can be no cheating and fraud”.

“Maraming tulisan diyan,” he said.

According to Pres. Duterte who admitted that he is not familiar with technology, the country has yet to perfect internet use and how to run after the criminals doing illegal online activities. Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA) officer-in-charge Oscar Gutierrez Jr. confirmed that they are already coordinating with Shopee, Facebook, and Lazada to ensure that legitimate medicines are sold on these platforms.

Lazada, Shopee, and Facebook are three (3) of the biggest online marketing platforms highly utilized by Filipino consumers. A huge part of the population relies on these platforms for their grocery needs and even other big purchases.

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READ ALSO: Duterte on People Who’ll Die after Refusing COVID Vaccine – “Good riddance”

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