2 pharmacies from Catbalogan to receive “Quality Seal” awards from DOH-BFAD

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
October 5, 2007

CATBALOGAN CITY, Leyte  –  Two pharmacies from Samar’s capital town will be recipient of special awards from the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) Department of Health (DOH) for complying to their initiated rules and regulations, and specifically adhering to Generics Act of 1988.

The two awardees in Catbalogan are CIDNE's Pharmacy and Bench Drugstore.

Ms. Margarita D. Carles who is the pharmacist and owner of CIDNE’s pharmacy at Del Rosario Street, Catbalogan, said that this is the 3rd time the pharmacy has received such distinction and she considers it an honor to be chosen over the other 11 drug stores in Catbalogan City.

Patrocinia Lagbo, 56 a ‘suki’ of CIDNE’s attested that she patronizes the drug store because almost always Carles is on duty and readily explains everything she needs to know about her medicine purchases.

Meanwhile, Gemma Bermejo, pharmacist and owner of Bench said that she is grateful for the recognition considering that her drug store has been operating for only two years yet.

It is a big deal for her, she said to receive the ‘quality seal’ which would affirm the kind of public service she extends to her clients.

Both Gemma and Margarita believes that counseling is always in order when patients come to purchase drugs or medicines.

Equally important to both ladies is the Generics Act of 1988. These pharmacists said that they really take time out to explain the act and give the patient information that they could be treated even with the less expensive medicine because it may have the same potency as the other expensive drug.

However, Gemma said, she lets the patient choose but her choice, she said is an informed choice from her explanations.

Should Gemma and Margarita choose to personally receive their award they could attend the Annual Awarding of Quality Seal to the chosen Drugstores all over the Philippines on October 13, 2007 at the Terranova Garden , New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.   ( with reports from Marivic Alcober )