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Pharma companies 'airlifting' meds abroad to augment local supply: stakeholder

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="A drugstore in Quezon City puts up a list of unavailable over-the-counter medicines on January 4, 2022 as supplies run short with people stacking up on common medicines for fever, cough and colds associated with COVID-19 sickness. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/business/01/06/20220104-covid-drugstore-md-230.jpg"/><figcaption>A drugstore in Quezon City puts up a list of unavailable over-the-counter medicines on January 4, 2022 as supplies run short with people stacking up on common medicines for fever, cough and colds associated with COVID-19 sickness. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Some pharmaceutical firms have been sourcing basic medicines from abroad to augment supply as unusual demand caused &quot;temporary shortage&quot; especially in Metro Manila, a stakeholder said Thursday. </p><p>There is unusual demand for branded flu products, cough and colds medicines and vitamins the past few days as Philippines saw a rapid rise in the number of COVID cases, driven by the new variant omicron. </p><p>&quot;What we’re noticing is, this is a temporary shortage due to the surge in demand, maybe because people are a lot more vigilant now or a lot are really sick,&quot; Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines Vice President Jannette Jakosalem told ANC.</p><p>&quot;As we speak we are already replenishing… in fact some of our members are airlifting medicines from other countries to augment supply in the Philippines,&quot; she added.</p><p>Most of these medicines are locally manufactured, therefore stocks are likely to get replenished 2 to 3 days upon receipt of orders from drug stores, Jakosalem said.</p><p>The Department of Industry earlier said there is no need to panic since goods are locally available and it&#x27;s just a matter of replenishing stocks in shelves.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/05/22/drug-manufacturers-to-replenish-paracetamol-supply-within-the-week-dti">Drug manufacturers to replenish paracetamol supply within the week: DTI</a></li></ul><p>Earlier this week, the Department of Health said there was no shortage of paracetamol and similar drugs for flu and encouraged the public to try generic alternatives.</p><p>“The DOH would like to assure the public that while there is an observed increased demand for such products, there is no ongoing shortage in the Philippines,&quot; <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/04/22/no-shortage-of-paracetamol-drugs-for-flu-doh" target="_blank">it said</a> in a statement.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1885391" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

There is unusual demand for branded flu products, cough and colds medicines and vitamins the past few days as Philippines saw a rapid rise in the number of COVID cases, driven by the new variant omicron. 