BIZ BUZZ: Medicines in your suking tindahan?

Well, not yet.

The Department of Trade (DTI) assured the public that the sale of over-the counter medicines in sari-sari stories was still being studied.

“This is only a proposal at this point—nothing has been finalized,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in a Facebook post.

“We are fully aware of the potential health risks associated with OTC drug products and the importance of ensuring their safe and responsible distribution,” Roque added.

The agency issued the statement as pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors floated the idea of offering medicines through neighborhood stores.

It all started from a now-deleted Facebook post from the DTI about a meeting with Customer First Distribution Inc. on expanding livelihood and healthcare access through sari-sari stores.

Such a measure was seen as a way to create new income opportunities for micro-retailers while improving access to essential health products in communities.

The proposal, however, was immediately met with resistance.

Thus for now, the iconic neighborhood sari-sari store will stick to the basics, such as coffee, canned goods, condiments, personal care products, local snacks and treats, and stay away from medicines. Jordeene B. Lagare