Most branded medicines for flu-like symptoms ran out of stock in many drugstores in the Philippines due to increased demand with the country’s once again rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Philippines’ leading drug producer Unilab reported a shortage of pharmacy stock, including its most trusted brands like Biogesic, Bioflu, Neozep, and Solmux. “Some of our brands are temporarily out of stock in select drugstores due to extraordinary demand,” Unilab stated. The company, on the other hand, promised that it is working its best to stock up as early as possible. Other major medicine producers reported the same issue, such as Zuellig Pharma and Generika. However, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines noted that this is only due to some delivery delays of stocks in drugstores. The agency has also ordered to limit the purchases of the public to avoid panic buying. In addition, DTI and the Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines urged Filipinos to consider other cheaper but trusted drugs as alternatives since they are as effective as the branded ones. The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) also advised the public to buy only the needed number of medicines because of their expiration dates and consider other patients who may need them more.