Over-the-counter medicines sold in sari-sari stores?

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Over-the-counter medicines sold in sari-sari stores?

David Dizon,

ABS-CBN News

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Over-the-counter medicines sold in sari-sari stores?
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A group of phamacists on Tuesday chimed in on a proposal to allow sari-sari stores to sell over-the-counter medicines.

Leonila Ocampo, a member of the council of advisers of the Philippine Pharmacists Association, said sari-sari stores should first get licensed to be a retail outlet for non-prescription drugs before they start selling OTC medicines.

“I’d like to start with the word ‘bawal.’ Gusto kong i-clarify ‘yung word na bawal. Bawal siya na magbenta ng over the counter kung walang lisensiya. Kung walang lisensiya, ibig sabihin hindi sile mare-regulate sa proper handling, proper storage and the proper use of the medicine kahit sabihin natin na over the counter ‘yan,” she said in a DZMM interview.

Sari-sari stores who are licensed as retail outlets for non-prescription drugs will be under the oversight of a pharmaceutical company, Ocampo said, with sellters undergoing proper training on the sale of the medicines.

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These retail outlets, she said, will have regular weekly visits from a licensed pharmacist who is required to stay in the store for at least 2 hours "just to see how things are being done."

Examples of such retail outlets are convenience stores and supermarkets.

Ocampo warned of the risks of selling OTC medicines without pharmaceutical oversight, noting that medicines should be properly stored and handled.

"Kahit gaano kaganda ang gamot, kung mailagay ito sa isang facility na hindi na i-store ng tama, walang kwenta ang good manufacturing..." she said.

She added that even the safest over-the-counter medicines have risks if abused or improperly used.

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"Kailangan malaman ng publiko, even paracetamol which is claimed to be the safest analgesic and antipyretic, it is the safest for lagnat and kirot, may risk pa rin. The intake is always guided so thaT it will not exceed the amount for 24 hours," she said.

Ibuprofen, another over-the-counter drug, can also be abused, Ocampo said, adding it should not be taken on an empty stomach. "Nakaka-irritate ito sa stomach if the stomach is empty," she said.

Ocampo said drugstores can also be held liable if known to be selling medicines to sari-sari stores for the purposes of reselling.

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