Sen. Pia launches war vs fake medicines
MANILA,
July 1 (PNA) -- Senator Pia Cayetano reiterated on Wednesday the
necessity to combat the fake drugs as she joined the “Samahan Laban sa
Pekeng Gamot” (SLPG) to raise public awareness on the proliferation and
danger of counterfeit medicines.
Sen.
Cayetano with Candaba Pampanga Mayor Jerry Pelayo held a day-long event
at Earth Park in Candaba with SLPG and some 400 barangay health workers
from 400 barangays in four towns of Pampanga to raise public awareness
in waging war against counterfeit medicines.
Joining
Candaba Mayor Pelayo and Sen. Pia were San Simon Mayor Rodrigo Canlas,
Arayat Mayor Luis Espino and Sta. Ana Mayor Rommel Concepcion.
One
of the event's main thrusts is to educate BHWs on the dangers of
counterfeit medicines and how to identify and report possible fake
drugs.
"This
is our way of educating and enhancing the skills of our BHWs, who are
considered the frontliners in the delivery of basic health services to
the community. Through this summit, we get to share with them crucial
information on emerging health issues, such as the dangers of
counterfeit drugs and what they can do to stop its proliferation," said
Cayetano, one of the authors of the landmark Cheaper Medicines Act
(Republic Act 9502) and the soon to be signed law strengthening the
Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).
She
said a counterfeit drug contains incorrect ingredients or insufficient
amounts of active ingredients resulting in the reduction of its safety,
efficacy or purity. It may also refer to a medicinal product which is
deliberately and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to its identity
and source.
Sen.
Pia also added that the manufacturing, distribution and selling of
counterfeit medicines is a crime punishable under Republic Act 8203, or
The Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs. Concerned citizens can report any
information on counterfeit medicines through the SLPG's website
www.fakemed.ph or to 1-800-10-FAKEMED (3253-633), toll free from
anywhere in the country.
The
summit also held seminars on cervical cancer awareness; nutrition,
health and wellness; and the role of BHWs amid the A(H1N1) crisis.
"BHWs
are the frontliners in the delivery of basic health services and
information to the grassroots. Educating them on emerging issues such
as the A(H1N1) outbreak is an important part of strengthening the
public health system and preparing communities for any public
emergency," the lady senator claimed. (PNA)
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