An inquiry for a dispensing doctor

One early morning just before office hours, a doctor inquired in our office about certain provisions in any law that prohibits doctors to sell medicines in their clinics, particularly vaccines. She told me this was an inquiry by a pediatrician friend of her.

I was the only pharmacist at that time and the only law I can think of is the Pharmacy Law (R.A. 5921) which states that "No medicine, pharmaceutical or drug of whatever nature and kind or device shall be compounded, dispensed, sold or resold, or otherwise be made available to the consuming public except through a prescription drug store or hospital pharmacy duly established in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

Pharmaceutical, drug or biological manufacturing establishments, importers and wholesalers of drugs, medicines, or biological products are authorized to sell their products only at wholesale to duly established retail drugstore or hospital pharmacies." (Section 25)

I also referred her to DOH Administrative Order No. 63 series of 1989 which states the "Rules and Regulations to Implement Dispensing Requirements under the Generics Act of 1988 (R.A. 6675)" (specifically, Section 1).

I learned from this experience that every pharmacist should maintain their familiarity and keep themselves updated with the laws, rules and regulations related to their profession.