Capitol wants drug ‘outlet’ closed down

CEBU, Philippines - Following the death of a public school teacher in Tuburan town allegedly due to expired insulin, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) wants to have the “outlet,” which dispensed the medicine, closed down.

This as the Tuburan government will place the establishment under investigation for selling expired medicine.

PHO head Cynthia Genosolango told The FREEMAN that she already instructed Tuburan District Hospital chief Dr. Esteban Ligaray to handle the matter and verify documents pertaining to the operation of the establishment before making appropriate actions.

“We have to do it in proper channel. We cannot just act without proper papers,” she clarified.

She said they would look into the allegation that the establishment is operating without the necessary permits.

Private pharmacies are required to secure business permit from the local government unit apart from the other permits from the Bureau of Food and Drugs, she noted.

Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante confirmed that the establishment has business permit. He, however, said they will look into its liability for dispensing expired medicine.

“Wa may businesses diri sa lungsod nga wa makakuha og business permit. Though the pharmacy is under the local government, we will wait for a report from the Provincial Health Office,” he said.

Records of Tuburan treasurer’s office showed that the establishment was registered under the name of “Dok Tang’s Pharmacy” with a certain Iris May Vatanagul as the proprietor.

The establishment secured the business permit in 2013 and it will expire on December 31, 2015.

But Genosolango said they do not actually consider the establishment as pharmacy but only a drug “outlet,” whose supplies belong to more than one owner.

She added that such establishment is generally prohibited unless proper documents were complied with.

“First, the outlet should be checked. If wala’y business, then automatic close,” she said.

 The PHO confirmed that the expired medicine administered to teacher Hezil Aparecio was from the stock owned by Dr. Jatuporn Vatanagul.

Aparecio’s family earlier told The FREEMAN that the patient felt very ill hours after receiving a shot of the expired insulin. She was referred to a hospital in Cebu City but was already declared dead on arrival.

The family, however, could not conclude yet if the death was indeed caused by the medicine. It is also not interested in filing suit to prevent things from getting worse.

Vatanagul earlier said he would only comment on the issues hurled against him if he is summoned by the Capitol. He was also tagged in the death of a child in Minglanilla last October. — (FREEMAN)