72 Cordillera drug stores found in violation of price freeze on medical supplies

BAGUIO CITY --The Dept. of Health said price freeze on emergency essential medicines and medical supplies is still in effect amid concern  on spread of the  novel coronavirus(COVID-19) and warned   drugstores and business establishments  against taking advantage of the situation.

                DOH – Cordillera pharmacist III Aiden Bermisa, in a media forum Tuesday, said the   Food and Drug Administration, the Provincial DOH office, in partnership with the Dept. of Trade and Industry and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group   conduct regular monitoring of drugstores and groceries in line with the price freeze order.  

Bermisa reported 214 drugstores/groceries in Baguio City and six provinces of Cordillera were monitored of which 72 were found to be non – compliant.

Most of the violations involve exceeding the desired maximum selling price of Ethyl Alcohol, face mask and N95 clinical mask.

                DOH – CAR Attorney III Veronica Zandra Sowaken said the non – compliant establishments will be issued with notice to explain and will be given five days to comment. Next actions will be based on their response.

Sowaken said possible actions include   issuance reprimand or cease and desist order.  Drugstores and groceries that repeat offenders can also be charged with administrative and criminal cases  as aside from violating the price freeze order they may also be held liable in violation of the Price Act, of which may involve  fine of as high as P1million and imprisonment that can go up to 5 years.

For COVID update, DOH – CAR OIC Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan reported  that based on DOH COVID – 19 case tracker as of 12noon of March 2,  there are  43 persons under investigation (PUIs) admitted in various health facilities and 592 patients have already been discharged  in the country.

In the Cordillera, Karen Lonogan of the DOH Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, reported there is zero or no case of COVID infection in the Cordillera with all the 29 PUIs tested negative, with 28 already discharged and one still completing the required 14 – day observation period.  

Pangilinan said the decrease in the number of PUIs may be attributed to the strengthened surveillance, early travel restrictions and enhanced laboratory processes. She advised the public to remain vigilant and continue to practice proper cough/sneezing etiquette, frequent and proper hand washing, maintain healthy lifestyle and keep their immune system at its optimum.

The public must not be alarmed or stigmatized and continue with their normal daily life;  what each one needs  to do is to be responsible, health-wise and always practice health precautionary measures  especially the sick or those medically compromised. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)