CAGAYAN de Oro City officials on Thursday assured the Cagay-anons that there is sufficient supply of basic medicines like paracetamol in the market even as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

With the city's trade and industry department (DTI) and the Department of Health (DOH), City Councilor George Goking, chair of the Council’s Committee on trade and commerce, assured the public that there was no shortage in paracetamol and other drugs for flu-like symptoms in the city.

Earlier last week, Goking made the call following reports of lack of availability of stocks for paracetamol and other flu and cold medicines in pharmacies.

He said a meeting was held with the City Price Coordinating Council (CPCC) to shed light the matter.

“Let’s try our best to ensure that there is a steady supply of paracetamol in the city,” said Goking adding that it should also be accessible to all even to the poor.

Like Goking, councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane, chair of the City Council committee on health, also guaranteed the public that there are available stocks of paracetamol used to treat fever and mild to moderate pain.

These were Goking and Gaane’s reaction to the special report made by Councilor Roger Abaday Monday deeming the alleged shortage of branded paracetamol such as Biogesic, Bioflu, and Decolgen.

Gaane said she admitted that there was a shortage of paracetamol, especially Biogesic few weeks ago, since most people think that branded medicines are more effective.

She said paracetamol has many alternatives, which are available in drugstores.

“There are now available stocks of Biogesic in selected drug stores in the city,” said Gaane.

In addition, Goking, who also chair of the committee on ways and means said the city is constantly monitoring the supply of medicines, especially paracetamol.

“That's the very reason, the meeting was held with the CPCC with the DOH and DTI earlier last week to get an updates on the concern,” said Goking.

He said one of the reasons for the shortage was the ongoing vaccination program of the city.

“Thousands of citizens are vaccinated every day,” he added.

He also informed the legislative body that when branded paracetamol is not available, the public do not tend to buy generic as an alternative.

There are available generic brands of paracetamol in drug stores, he pointed out.

“I assure that everything is under control but (we are) monitoring the supplies on a daily basis,” said Goking. (Ben Balce)