MPD flags online sellers of fake medicines — Mayor Isko

The Manila Police District (MPD) flagged online sellers of fake medicines in reaction to online posts that claim scarcity of supply in drug stores, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said on Friday.

Moreno urged residents to be extra careful in buying medicines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Through the effort of MPD nakuha natin yung binebenta online. Mananawagan ako na huwag basta basta bumibili ng online ng Paracetamol kasi there was a time about two weeks ago nagkaubusan ng Paracetamol at Vitamin C,” he said in a Facebook live.

(Through the effort of MPD we captured the illegal online seller. I urged you not to buy Paracetamol online because there was a time about two weeks ago when it ran out of Paracetamol and Vitamin C.)

“Na-file na natin ng kaso yung mga suspect ng team ng MPD. So ito, maging mapagmasid tayo sa kanya kanya nating station at botika ninyo medyo agapan natin kasi syempre may demand eh kailangan ng Paracetamol at Bioflu,” he added.

(We have already filed a case against the suspects through the MPD team. So let's be vigilant in our station and pharmacy. We need to be alert because there is a demand for Paracetamol and Bioflu.)

He also directed the police personnel to continue strict monitoring to prevent the sale and distribution of fake medicines.

Earlier, the government has imposed a purchase limit for paracetamol and other over-the-counter (OTC) flu medicines amid a reported shortage of such drugs alongside rising COVID-19 cases.

Netizens have earlier raised concerns on social media about their difficulties in purchasing paracetamol and anti-flu pills as these were out of stock in drug stores.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Health (DOH) warned violators of liability under the Price Act, Consumer Act and other relevant laws, rules, and regulations. -- BAP, GMA News