DTI denies paracetamol shortage

Amid the public’s rush to find paracetamol, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said only yesterday that there was no shortage in the Philippines.

“Wala po kaming natatanggap na report on the shortage lalo na ‘yung mga paracetamol, wala ho,” Lopez said in a Always Ready briefing.

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“Ang dami ho niyan tsaka ang dami pang generics niyan. So, hindi po concern ‘yun.”

(We have not received any report on the shortage, especially the paracetamol, nothing. That’s a lot and a lot of generics. So, that’s not a concern.)

On Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH) has also released a statement that there is no ongoing shortage of paracetamol. Such medicine is used to treat fever and mild to moderate pain.

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“We have quickly consulted major drugstore chains and local manufacturers and suppliers on the status of supply of said products,” it said. “While there is an increased demand for such products, there is no ongoing shortage in the Philippines.”

However, Unilab, the manufacturer of known paracetamol brands like Biogesic, Neozep, and Solmux, confirmed that there is a shortage of pharmacy stock.

DTI denies paracetamol shortage

“Some of our brands are temporarily out of stock in select drugstores due to extraordinary demand,” it said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, Zuellig Pharma also confirmed a temporary shortage of certain brands of paracetamol in some areas.

“We urge the public to consult their doctors and pharmacists for appropriate alternatives if they are experiencing a temporary shortage of paracetamol in their localities. We also call on them to buy only the needed number, and not overstock, because medicines have a limited shelf life or expiration date, and to consider other patients who may need them more,” Jannette Jakosalem, Managing Director of Zuellig Pharma, said in a statement.

An expert said Monday that the active COVID-19 cases in the  could reach 40,000  by mid-January or late February.

“In terms of projections nakikita natin, posibleng tumaas talaga ‘yung kaso, lalo na kapag hindi tayo nagkaroon ng matinding intervention,” Prof. Jomar Rabajante of the University of the Philippines (UP) Pandemic Response Team said.

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