Medicine surveillance project launched

MANILA, Philippines - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched the Medicine Surveillance Project, a campaign against manufacturers and sellers of sub-standard and fake medicine in Metro Manila.

FDA director Nazarita Tacandong said they want to get a clear picture of the situation by asking consumers to report violations to the agency.

“We don’t know the market but we know that this problem exists. Through this project, any complaints on drugs can be relayed to us for immediate action,” she said.  

The FDA has assigned telephone numbers 807-8275; (0905) 417-1771; (0909) 208-0500 and e-mail [email protected] to receive complaints. Drop boxes where Bantay Gamot Forms are available will also be placed in most drugstores.

Tacandong said teams have been formed to process complaints and they have 72 hours to act on them “or within the day if they (medicine) posed risk to the consuming public.”

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the project also covers reports about drugstores selling medicine in the absence of a pharmacist, selling unregistered or expired drugs, and those operating without license.

There have also been drugs sold with false claims and undisclosed side effects.

Duque said the Filipinos’ fondness for self-medication, combined with the unscrupulous practices of sellers, creates a drug safety problem. 

“In this age of globalization, consumerism, free trade, and increasing use of the Internet, the ordinary person now has easy access to different drugs and medicine. Combine this with the penchant for self-medication and the need to improve the drug dispensing practices of our pharmacists, we have a potentially harmful situation where drug safety is questioned,” Duque said.

Duque said reports will remain confidential but in case of adverse drug reactions, the complainant would be asked to give his name, address and contact number and other clinical data as needed.

“The FDA is committed to guard efficiently our nation’s drug supply and advocates patient care to protect the right to health of every Filipino,” he said.