by Jan Albert K. Araña
MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)–The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Misamis Oriental Provincial Office and the Department of Health (DOH)-10, together with the Cagayan de Oro City Price Coordinating Council (CDO CPCC), conducted a joint monitoring of the prices of medicine in seven random pharmacies in Cagayan de Oro City, March 14.
The monitoring is in line with DOH Administrative Order No. 2022-0015, Department Circular No. 2022-0372, and Department Circular No. 2022-0612, which tell DOH to make sure that the prices of medicines sold in pharmacies stay within the suggested retail price (SRP) and don’t go over the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) set by the government for both generic and branded medicines.
“This monitoring is done together with CDO, CPCC, DTI, and PNP to check if the prices sold in the pharmacies are within the suggested retail price. Through this, we are letting the consumers know, especially here in Cagayan de Oro, that there is a suggested retail price being implemented and a sort of reminder to all pharmacy owners that they should follow the guidelines and implementation of the SRPs,” DOH 10 Local Health System Development Cluster Pharmacist III Edith Villarin said.
Seven identified pharmacies were inspected by the joint monitoring task force, wherein random medicine prices were checked.
The team found that all seven pharmacies had been selling some branded medicines slightly above the existing SRP and MSRP. With the said violation, the DOH-10 will send a letter of inquiry to the pharmacies, who are given seven days upon receipt to explain why the violation occurred, along with all the purchase supporting documents such as the official receipt, purchase receipt, and bill of lading of the medicines being questioned.
Meanwhile, the DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Office assures the public that they are constantly monitoring all the prices in the market under their jurisdiction to make sure that consumers are protected against any seller or retailer that may take advantage of selling items beyond their SRPs.
The monitoring team urges all pharmacy owners to strictly follow the guidelines and SRP given by the DOH to avoid any penalties or sanctions. They also call on all consumers to update themselves on the SRPs being released by the government. (JAKA/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
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