LGUs Ordered: Stop Medicine Sale In Sari-Sari Stores

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all local officials to ban the sale of medicines in sari-sari or micro convenience stores.

Under Memorandum Circular 2022-025, local government units (LGUs) have the responsibility to enact ordinances that will prohibit the unauthorized sale of medicine in local stores.

The DILG said LGUs should impose sanctions on sari-sari stores that violate the circular, which may include the revocation of business permit or license of the establishment.

Failure of LGUs to enact an ordinance may be considered as gross negligence and may be grounds for disciplinary action against local officials.

LGUs were also directed to coordinate with local police and the Food and Drug Administration as the government cracks down on counterfeit drugs and the illegal distribution of pharmaceutical products.

As per Republic Act No. 10918 or An Act Regulating and Modernizing the Practice of Pharmacy in the Philippines, violators may be fined up to P500,000 or face imprisonment of no more than six years.

The DILG said LGUs should also ensure that Botika ng Bayan or barangay outlets are functioning to ensure that constituents have unhampered access to needed medicine.

Last month, the FDA reported the prevalence of unauthorized selling of medicine by sari-sari stores in the country.

The FDA said it received 185 reports of sari-sari stores illegally selling medicines, of which 78 were verified.

Nine stores were confirmed to be retailing fake pharmaceutical drugs including COVID-19 medicines.

President Duterte urged the public to refrain from buying medicine at illegal outlets as their health might be affected by fake medication or even lead to death.

The DILG earlier ordered the PNP to arrest those who sell counterfeit drugs.

The department also urged sari-sari stores to instead get licenses from the FDA if they want to continue selling over-the-counter and prescription drugs.