The Department of Health (DOH) is open to limiting individuals’ purchase of certain drugs amid reports that paracetamol supplies are now running out.
The absence of Paracetamols such as Bioflu, Biogesic, etc., in pharmacies, is trending on social media. This is happening now that the COVID-19 Omicron variant is in the Philippines.
“Oo naman, gagawin natin ‘yun [pagtatakda ng limitasyon kontra-panic buying],” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Tuesday, in an interview with DZXL.
(Sure, we’ll do that [setting a limit against panic buying].)
“That is within the regulatory authority ng ating mga ahensya: [Department of Trade and Industry], [Food and Drug Administration], lahat ‘yang mga ‘yan.”
It will be recalled that Quezon City had implemented an ordinance against “panic buying” when the strictest Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was returned to the city in August.
Many acquired the flu or fever after Christmas and New Year – a time when parties, parties, and reunions are all around. Fever is one of the symptoms of COVID-19.
“‘Yun na nga ang masama diyan… Parang hoarding na ‘yan [ginagawa ng iba]. DTI [ang bahala riyan]. Kakausapin ko agad si [Trade Secretary] Mon Lopez kasi sila ang law enforcement arm… sa hoarding, sa price at sa mga bumibili ng bultu-bulto,” said Duque.
DOH may limit paracetamol purchases amid ‘shortage’
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“Masama ‘yon, kasi mawawalan ng access ‘yung iba [sa gamot]. Hindi tama ‘yon.”
(That’s what’s bad there … It’s like hoarding [others do]. DTI [will take care of that]. I will talk to [Trade Secretary] Mon Lopez immediately because they are the law enforcement arm … in hoarding, in price, and bulk buyers. Others will have no access to medicines. That’s not right.)
According to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, some symptoms of the Omicron COVID-19 variant infection include:
- Cough
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Congestion and runny nose
Unlike in previous variants, the loss of taste and smell seems uncommon. Research also showed Omicron causes mild effects on vaccinated individuals.
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