CITY OF ILAGAN, ISABELA - Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Isabela Provincial Director Engr. Corazon D. Toribio, CESO V said that the local government units (LGUs) in Isabela should revive their respective Botika ng Bayan to address the potential dangers for Isabeleños in purchasing pharmaceutical products from sari-sari stores.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Isabela conducted a committee hearing on March 23, 2022 on its proposed ordinance regulating the dispensing, selling and reselling of pharmaceutical products in sari-sari stores and other similar retail outlets and providing penalties thereof, pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2022-025 relative to the same.

The DILG issued the said Memorandum Circular due to the alarming number of reports received by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on sari-sari stores that were illegally selling medicines.

Board Member Randolph Arreola said that the reason why people are forced to purchase or acquire medicines from sari-sari stores is because of their lack of access of Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Pharmacist-only medicines from authorized drug stores.

Provincial Department of Health (DOH) Officer, Dr. Elsie A. Pintucan, added that there were only five (5) out of thirty-seven (37) LGUs that have a functional Botika Ng Bayan.

With this information, PD Toribio suggested that it is high time for Botika Ng Bayan to be reestablished, revived, or strengthened in every LGU in the province.

On the other hand, Board Member Edward Isidro proposed that the sanggunian should enjoin LGUs to include in their budget the hiring of a permanent pharmacist in response to the establishment of their Botika Ng Bayan.

Meanwhile, Board Member Emmanuel Añes, as the chairman of the Committee on Health, affirms full support to the implementation of the said DILG issuance.

SOURCE: LGOO II ATHINA ANGELI R. CALATA-PAREL