Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 8) — President Rodrigo Duterte has reminded the public to only purchase medicines from licensed drugstores.
“Make a little sacrifice by going to legitimate outlets na kinikilala ng (recognized by the) FDA (Food and Drug Administration),” Duterte said during his taped weekly briefing aired Monday night.
“You take a fake medication that will only worsen your sickness, and maybe death will follow,” he added.
Duterte made the comment after FDA officer-in-charge Oscar Gutierrez reported that 21 out of 926 drugstores nationwide are suspected to be selling unregistered or fake medicines and diagnostic kits.
Since 2018, more than ₱27 million worth of fake medicines were seized by authorities, Gutierrez added.
The FDA chief warned that medications should never be bought from sari-sari stores, where most of the fake drugs are sold. Drugs are also not allowed to be advertised on social media.
He also gave tips on how to reduce the risk of buying fake medicines.
The President suggested to the FDA to have sellers of fake medicines take the counterfeit drugs, and that he is willing to take the blame.
FDA gives tips on reducing risk of buying fake medicines, including maintenance medicines pic.twitter.com/QMfpT8zNmU
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) February 7, 2022
