DOH reminds public of medicine price freeze in calamity-hit areas

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reminded the public that a price freeze is in effect for a total of 148 medicines in areas under a state of calamity.

The DOH urged consumers to report cases of overpricing to the DOH Hotline at (02) 8651-7800 or the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Hotline at 1384.

As of Thursday, 40 areas had declared a state of calamity due to the effects of Tropical Cyclones “Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong,” as well as the southwest monsoon (habagat).

The price freeze is effective for 60 days from the declaration of a state of calamity in a given locality, according to the DOH.

In addition to medicines, the 60-day automatic price freeze also covers basic goods such as rice, corn, bread, fresh vegetables, root crops, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, milk, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergent, firewood, charcoal, and candles.