DTI Holds Briefings on Fair Trade Law

ILIGAN CITY — In its advocacy to promote partnership and shared interest between government and businesses in consumer welfare, the Provincial Office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched monthly Sectoral Fair Trade Laws (FTL) Briefings in 2016.

The firsts of these briefings was conducted last February 24, 2016 with the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector at the “Negosyo Center” Training Room of the DTI Office in Palao, Iligan City.

It was successfully conducted in collaboration with Iligan City – Lanao del Norte Pharmacists Association (ICLNPA).

Issues like policies on the return of unused medicines of hospital patients, the grant of privileges for senior citizens and persons with disability as well as the new labelling and packaging requirements for drugs and cosmetics were clarified.

ICLNPA members informed that there are already drugs/medicines which are individually marked with the expiry date in compliance with the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules and regulation.

Ms. Joy Salinas, incoming President of ICLNPA, committed to resolve above issues by inviting representatives from OSCA, PWD Office and City Hospital during their first quarter assembly on March 11, 2016.

The Briefing was conducted by DTI Staff and other invited resource persons.

Ms. Melina Palafox, pharmacist of Iligan City Health Office (CHO), who shared CHO’s health and safety monitoring guidelines.

Also, a representative from the Consumer Organization, Batch ’83 ICNHS Inc., updated the participants on what transpired during the Consumer Summit in October 2015 specifically on the health sector.

Likewise, Mr. Brando Domecillo, of the Local Price Coordinating Council, provided a refresher on the provisions of RA 9994 and RA 9442, Expanded Senior citizens Act and Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, respectively. Irma Boza/TNRS