Caloocan urges drugstores to follow cheaper medicine law

MANILA, Philippines - Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri yesterday urged the 261 drugstores in the city to strictly adhere to the new law slashing by half the prices of certain medicines or receive sanctions.

Echiverri said he has directed city administrator Russel Ramirez to form a team to check if local drugstores are complying with the Cheaper Medicine Act.

He said the city government is also closely watching if drugstores are complying with laws mandating a 20-percent discount for senior citizens and disabled persons.

He urged city residents to immediately report violators to the Food and Drugs Administration by calling hotlines 807-0751 and 807-8275 or the city administrator’s office at 288-8811 local 2237.

Echiverri said at least 43 “essential medicines” have been included in the 50-percent price cut but noted that smaller drugstores that still utilize a manual inventory system have until Sept. 15 to comply with the new law.

Echiverri said violators could face sanctions ranging from a P1,000 fine to having their license to operate cancelled.   – Pete Laude