AMID the reported shortage of some paracetamol brands in drugstores, City Council committee on trade and commerce chair Councilor George Goking today reminded the public that those who need paracetamol may ask pharmacists in drug stores for generic ones.
Goking said this was even one the advises of a Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines that generics are “equally effective” as branded products.
“This is in response to the reported tight supply of some paracetamol brands reported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),” said Goking.
Late last week, according to Goking a pharmaceutical company, Unilab, in a statement confirmed that some branded paracetamols are temporarily unavailable due to increased demand amid rising COVID-19 cases in the country.
Unilab, a leading manufacturer of flu and colds medicines even said there is a shortage of pharmacy stock bearing some of its noted brands including Bioflu, Neozep, and Solmux.
“The firm is now working double time to accelerate their replenishment as soon as possible,” Goking said.
“Some of our brands are temporarily out of stock in select drugstores due to extraordinary demand," it said in a statement.
Goking said, Zuellig Pharma acknowledged that there is a temporary shortage of certain brands of paracetamol in some areas following the heightened vigilance against the Omicron variant.
In addition, a number of people are getting sick due to various reasons, including the permeating colder weather.
"We urge the public to consult their doctors and pharmacists for appropriate alternatives if they are experiencing a temporary shortage of paracetamol in their areas,” said Goking.
Goking, earlier called the public to buy only the needed number, and not overstock.
“Medicines have a limited shelf life or expiration date, and to consider other patients who may need them more," he said.
Goking also enjoined consumers to report to DTI those that profiteering amid the temporary supply issue of some paracetamol brands.
On January 7, Goking met the City Price Coordinating Council (CPCC), as the public is assured that the situation is temporary and was due to a sudden increase in demand that is way above usual levels of inventories in drugstores.
Goking said that the concerned manufacturers have already assured the DTI that there is supply as these are produced locally and that they will immediately replenish their stocks in the various drugstore branches in the city.
In particular, popular brands Biogesic and Decolgen (which are paracetamol and analgesics of Unilab), were temporarily out of stock as the increased demand occurred right after their delivery cut-off in December.
“The DTI has already received reports of deliveries coming in this week,” said Goking.
The CPCC also requested the drugstores to limit purchase quantity and take necessary steps to prevent panic buying, according to Goking. (Ben Balce)
