CITY Council Committee on Trade and Commerce chair Councilor George Goking on Friday assured the public that there is no ongoing shortage of paracetamol in the city.

Goking even said that there is nothing to panic about on the supply of paracetamol, that used to treat fever and mild to moderate pain. He made the statement in response to reports of alleged shortage of supplies of paracetamol and other drugs for flu-like symptoms.

On January 7, Goking said the Cagayan de Oro City Price Coordinating Council held an emergency meeting on issues and availability of branded paracetamol products in pharmacies and drugstores in the city.

“While there is an apparent shortage of at least two brands of paracetamol, other as-effective brands are available in the market,” said Goking.

He added that there is no need to be alarmed; as-effective generic paracetamols are also available in the city.

The meeting was attended by DTI provincial director Almer Masillones, Roxy San Juan, lawyers Sai Salvador, Edgardo Uy, DOH, FDA, Misamis Oriental Pharmacies Associations, and CDO CPCC Helen Grace Uy.

Other findings made by the CPCC according to Goking were the manufacturer of the absent brands was not able to deliver to the distributor and the pharmacies reported that they refuse to sell to paracetamol buyers who buy by the box.

“We requested the DOH and FDA to dig deeper on the matter because paracetamol is a basic medicine that should always be made available,” Goking said.

Pharmacies were requested to post in their stores by Monday at the latest other brands of paracetamol so buyers will be guided as CPCC added.

 Goking also said that the DOH-FDA will coordinate with the CDO CPCC in conducting actual monitoring of prices and supply of paracetamol.

“I think the supply will start to normalize early this week,” said Goking, adding that the CPCC and the city government are constantly monitoring the supply status of medicines used in the symptomatic treatment of patients with Covid-19.

Goking appealed to the public to refrain from hoarding, panic-buying or making unnecessary purchases of such medications when not clinically warranted. (Ben Balce)