PDEA to drug test centers: Use waterless urinals

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reminded private drug testing centers yesterday to rid their comfort rooms of urinals that discharge water when flushing in order not to give their patrons a chance to tamper with their urine samples.

In an advisory, PDEA director general Dionisio Santiago said all drug testing centers must strictly follow the provisions of Dangerous Drug Board Regulation 8, which was issued in 2007.

He said that on collection, handling and disposal, the regulation specifically states that laboratories “shall use waterless urinals to prevent dilution and tampering of specimen.”

Santiago said reports have reached authorities that many drug testing centers do not use waterless urinals. He warned that the owners, managers and personnel of such drug testing centers can be jailed for six months to four years and fined as much as P50,000.

Santiago added that PDEA will closely coordinate with counterparts’ from the Department of Health to oversee the operations and ensure the compliance of all drug testing facilities. – Michael Punongbayan