MANILA — Following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against the use of health products that have been submerged in floodwaters.
According to Philippines News Agency, the recent massive flooding and power disruptions have compromised numerous facilities, including factories, warehouses, and retail establishments that handle the manufacturing, processing, packing, or storage of health products. The FDA stressed that the quality, safety, efficacy, and purity of these products are likely to have been affected by the floodwaters.
Under Department Circular 2012-014, titled "Disposition of Flood-Affected Health Products," the FDA mandates that all such compromised items should not be sold or resold. Drugstores, retail stores, and distributors are required to remove these products from their shelves, return them to their suppliers, and report back to the FDA within a week.
The FDA also advises consumers who may have already used these affected products to seek immediate medical advice, especially if they exhibit any health issues. Furthermore, food-drug regulation officers are tasked with identifying and monitoring affected establishments and are authorized to seize any damaged or contaminated health products.