DOH tells Shopee, Lazada to explain online sale of medicines

The Department of Health has summoned officials of online sellers Lazada and Shopee, and a pharmacy in Iloilo after receiving reports that they had been selling medicines over the internet without the necessary permit.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said the three firms had to explain to the DOH why they should not be penalized.

“Bawal bumili ng gamot kasi di sila sigurado kung saan nanggaling yung gamot na yon. Di natin alam yung quality ng medicine," Domingo said.

"At saka hindi natin naco-contorl kung saan nanggaling, kung ano ang source ng mga botikang itong nagbebenta online,” he added.

GMA News Online sought comment from Shopee but have yet to receive any as of posting time.

Lazada, in a statement sent to GMA News Online, assures that a response to the complaint raised by the FDA will be available and that the firm will cooperate with the authorities.

Lazada underscored that it takes concerns regarding regulated products, seriously and will investigate, take appropriate actions in accordance with laws, regulations, and/or issuances, and the contract the merchants.

"Merchants who sell on the Lazada platform are contractually obligated to be fully compliant with relevant and applicable local laws, regulations, and/or issuances," the company said.

Domingo said pharmaceutical products were regulated and only entities with an actual pharmacy and which had been issued a license may sell medicines.

He said some of the sites sold steroids for weight gain.

“Ang steroids, napakaraming side effects nito. Puwedeng matunaw yung mga buto mo. Puwede kang mag-hypertensive. Puwede kang magka-diabetes. Puwede kang magka-catarata. Puwede kang ma-stroke,” Domingo said.

Domingo said that if a pharmacy was issued a license to take orders online, it still could not deliver the medicines to its customers.

“Para makuha mo yung gamot, kailangang pumunta ka pa rin doon sa physical na pharmacy at ipakita mo yung iyong reseta bago mo siya mabili,” Domingo explained.

If the three are found to be involved in the illegal sale of medicines, Domingo said, “then of course we will file cases against companies that sell drugs without a license."

As of the latest monitoring, Domingo said the three sites had taken down their advertisements for the online sale of medicines.

Meanwhile, Lazada advised that when purchasing products, "we encourage consumers to familiarize themselves with relevant consumer information published by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), DOH, and other governing bodies."

"Our buyer protection program also guarantees customers accessible customer care channels, free returns, and refunds."   — NB/BAP, GMA News