A pharmacist of an uptown Cebu City drugstore figured in a viral video while he was assisting customers.

The pharmacist required repeatedly a prescription for a certain medicine.

The customers, a male and a female as heard in the video, insisted that the said medicine for hypertension can be purchased over the counter (OTC).

The customers pointed out that the items are maintenance medicines that can be bought via OTC.

However, the pharmacist reiterated that Rx-labelled medicines, as such, need a prescription from a licensed doctor.

The Cebu Pharmacists Association, Inc. has lauded their colleague for requiring a physician's prescription from a customer before dispensing medicines despite getting subjected to alleged social media shaming.

“The Cebu Pharmacists Association acknowledges the unwavering professionalism and competence displayed by our brother in the Pharmacy profession involved in the recent viral video for his act of requiring physician’s prescription for Rx-labelled medicine,” the group’s statement said. 

The group called on the public to be more respectful to healthcare workers and professionals such as pharmacists.

“The Cebu Pharmacists Association, is one in solidarity with our colleagues and all pharmacists in upholding the highest ethical standards and professionalism required of the Pharmacy profession, and in ensuring that the best pharmacy dispensing practices are observed for the best interest of our patients and the public while appealing that they be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” the statement added. 

Cebu Pharmacists Association, Inc. is a member of the Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc.