DOH: Ok for city workers to give meds with doctor’s prescription

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City personnel assigned in distributing medicines in the barangays can continue doing so as long as the patient can present an official prescription from a doctor.

This was the statement of Dr. Jaime Bernadas, director of the Department of Health (DOH) -7 following questions by some barangay officials in the distribution of medicines.

"If there is an initial visit from the doctor and his prescription, the distribution of the medicine is more of a dispensing process," he added.

Some barangay officials have questioned the authority given to personnel distributing the medicines in the barangays, saying they are not medical practitioners.

But Bernadas said any designated person can distribute the medicines as long as there is a doctor's order.

He said there are initial agreements for DOH to provide technical assistance to the city by training the personnel assigned in the barangays, especially that the personnel must also observe the patient and monitor the treatment after the medicine is given. 

"If there is a prescription from the doctor, it would be okay since it's always the responsibility of the doctors if they provide prescriptions to the patient after consultation, including the follow-up," he said.

Bernadas said he and Mayor Tomas Osmeña had an "initial conversation" about the program.

"He (Osmeña) told me about his plans and on how to go about it and I also insinuated some points to him on how to go about the project," he said.

"It being the initiative of the local government unit, we have to respect that but we have also to advise them… I told him that of course you are allowed to give medicines but there must be a prescription from the doctor after the patient's consultation," Bernadas said. (FREEMAN)