DOH warns against prescription meds in COVID-19 home-care kits

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday warned against the inclusion of prescription medication in COVID-19 home-care kits, saying these may cause more damage than benefit to individuals undergoing home quarantine.

“Kapag nagbigay tayo ng homecare kits, ‘wag ho tayo maglalagay ng mga prescriptions, medications,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at the Palace briefing.

“Baka ito ay mas magkaroon ng harm sa ating mga kababayan rather than giving them that benefit.”

Vergeire issued the remark when questioned about the comparison of the “Kalinga” kits to other home care kits given by other organizations.

Netizens on Twitter have taken to comparing the DOH kits to the care kits distributed by the Office of the Vice President, which includes a thermometer, pulse oximeter, medical supplies, vitamins, face masks, disinfectant, and medicines.

Vice President Leni Robredo in April 2021 said the home care kits were created based on the recommendation of doctors whom they consulted.

Meanwhile, the DOH Kalinga kits are composed of face masks, soap, alcogel, disinfection spray, and basic medicine.

Vergeire meanwhile thanked local government units that helped distribute and added more items to the home-care kits.

“Kami rin po ay nagpapasalamat sa mga organisasyon at ibang mga local governments na talagang mas tinaasan pa nila ang antas ng mga components o mga laman ng kits na meron tayo,” she said. — DVM, GMA News