PNP eyes buy-bust ops vs. sari-sari stores illegally selling medicines

The  Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it may conduct buy-bust operations against sari-sari stores that sell medicines without proper authorization from the government.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said authorities have to launch such operations to obtain personal knowledge of the violation.

"Puwede tayong mag-conduct ng tinatawag nating buy-bust dahil ito'y considered na mga illegal drugs, unregulated drugs, at [para makita] kung sila ay walang permiso o awtorisado at hindi po sila accredited,” she said.

(We can conduct buy-bust operations because these are considered illegal drugs, unregulated drugs, and to see if they don’t have permits or authority or accreditation.)

"Kelangan kasi may personal knowledge yung pulis, hindi po tayo pupuwedeng magsabi na meron dung nabili, dapat tayo po mismo makita at makabili doon para yun po ang maging basis natin," Fajardo added.

(It is important for the police to have personal knowledge of the selling of the drugs. We can't just rely on shared information. The police himself must have proof so he can use that as basis.)

On Thursday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced the start of a crackdown against sari-sari stores selling medicines and fake drugs prohibited under the law.

Due to possible emergency cases and the distance of pharmacies from their residences, some people are appealing to allow the sale of over–the-counter medicines at least in these stores.

Interviewed on Unang Balita earlier in the day, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said sari-sari stores may apply for authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order for them to sell medicines.

Under Section 30 of Republic Act No. 10918 also known as the Philippine Pharmacy Act, only the FDA-licensed retail drug outlets or pharmacies are allowed to sell medicines to the consuming public.

On February 7, President Rodrigo Duterte himself advised the public not to purchase COVID-19 medicines from fly-by-night stores and online sellers, adding that these unauthorized retailers may be selling counterfeit medicines against the virus. —KBK, GMA News