CEBU, Philippines – Following reports of a surge in the prices of medicine needed for treatment of dengue patients, the Cebu City Council yesterday passed a resolution asking the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate the pharmacies that are allegedly taking advantage of the situation.
"Many pharmacies near hospitals are noticeably taking advantage of the otherwise problematic situation by selling at higher prices the medicine needed by patients such as PNSS, D5IMB, D5NM, D5LR, Macro and Micro sets, IV Cathula," read a portion of the resolution proposed by Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa.
"This practice of many pharmacies near hospitals are deplorable and need to be checked or inspected by concerned government agencies and need to be slapped with corresponding penalties warranted."
PNSS, D5IMB, D5NM and D5LR are types of intravenous fluids used by dengue patients.
Patients of dengue are given only IV fluids unless otherwise they have complications and that is the time they are made to take antibiotics.
Prices of IV fluids start at P65 to P75 and can go up to P128 per liter if the product is branded.
But health officials clarified that the potency of IV fluids does not depend on its brand.
Not only pharmacies near hospitals have increased their prices but also some pharmacies within the city as they are currently selling IV fluids at P108 to P127.50.
The Department of Health in region 7 earlier said that it has directed the Food and Drugs Regulatory Office (FDRO) to inspect drugstores to verify the reports of over-pricing.
If these pharmacies increased their prices due to the increase in the price at the world market, the increase will be considered reasonable.
But if they increased their price due to the demand, pharmacies will be compelled to explain to authorities.
City hospitals have their hands full accepting patients, but dengue is yet expected to reach its peak this month.
As of the latest report from the City Health Department surveillance unit, there are 1,424 cases with 13 deaths in the city.
Minglanilla Has Most Cases
The Municipality of Minglanilla now tops the list of the most number of dengue cases in the province base on the latest data from the Integrated Provincial Health Of-fice.
As of January to September 14 there were 1,433 dengue cases recorded.
Minglanilla has 120 cases on record with four fatalities.
Three years ago, an outbreak was declared in three barangays said nurse Rose Jao, the Dengue Provincial Coordinator.
"Probably naay breeding sites ani nga area nga wala pa na determine. Our data is not constant since we are getting records from VSMMC thrice a week. Bisag init pa dili lang gyud ta mokompiyansa," she said.
She added that personnel from IPHO go to VSMMC, Velez Hospital, South General Hospital and District Hospitals to get an update of the cases every Monday, Wednesday and Friday while they get their other updates at the Regional Epidemiological Surveillance (RESU) for cases from other private hospitals.
The rest of the local government units in the top ten are Toledo City with 117, Talisay City 102, Danao City 97, Balamban 88, Liloan 70, Medellin 66, Bogo 59, Aloguinsan and Argao 53, and Daanbantayan 49.
Jao said dengue cases in Toledo and Talisay City declined after they met with the barangay captains and discussed with the possible and immediate preventive meas-ures on how to eliminate mosquitoes.
"These two have very good preventive measures and they doubled their efforts in clean-up drives. Kinahanglan man gud nato mapatay ang lamok starting sa egg, lar-vae, and pupae before it reaches adult (stage)," she said.
The percentage rate of fatalities also increased by 107 percent this year with 27 on record compared to 13 last year.
She also appealed to the media to help disseminate information.
"Environmental concern is very important. Mas mayo nga naa ang media aron ma-aware ang uban ilabi na kadtong naa sa lagyong dapit. We should do something be-fore it reaches epidemic (level)." -/NLQ (FREEMAN)