DOH freezes medicine prices in areas hit by Carina and Southwest Monsoon

The Department of Health (DOH) released a list of medicines subject to price freezes in areas affected by Super Typhoon Carina and Southwest Monsoon, including Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, Cainta in Rizal, and Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro, on Friday.

The list includes Ibuprofen, paracetamol, antidiabetic agents like Metformin, antidiarrheals like Loperamide, antihistamines like Cetirizine, Doxycycline (an antibiotic used to treat leptospirosis), and some insulin preparations, along with vitamins and minerals like Ascorbic Acid and Zinc.

Consumers are advised to report overpricing or violations through DOH hotlines at (632) 8651-7800 local 5003-5004 or (632) 165-364, as well as file complaints with the Department of Trade and Industry via hotline 1-384 or email consumer@dti.gov.ph.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 14 deaths across Luzon and Mindanao due to recent weather events, including eight confirmed fatalities in various regions.

Several areas have declared a state of calamity, including Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, Batangas, Metro Manila, Pinamalayan, Baco, San Andres, Jose Abad Santos, Kabacan, and Pikit.