Sari-sari stores play a vital role in Filipino communities, serving as convenient hubs where locals can purchase daily necessities and engage in social interactions. These small shops that feature snacks, drinks, household items, and basic medicines, are manned by friendly store keepers who often know everyone in the neighborhood that it’s easy to strike up a conversation from small talk to juicy gossip while attending to the needs of the customer.
They often act as a central gathering place, and foster a sense of community and providing essential goods to residents. Sari-sari stores act as communal pillars in Filipino neighborhoods, offering a wide array of products and fostering social connections among residents. Their presence goes beyond commerce, they also shape the very nature of community life in the Philippines.
Although sari-sari stores offer a variety of commodities within easy reach for community members, there’s also a healthy discussion on whether these micro retail institutions be allowed to sell items that are regulated such as prescription medicines.
Let’s weigh the pros and cons from both sides of this argument.
Why prescription medicines should be sold at sari-sari stores
Increased accessibility to medicines at times of immediate need
Many rural areas in the Philippines lack pharmacies, which makes sari-sari stores a convenient option. A critical need for quick access to prescription medicines, especially in emergency cases where timely availability can be life-saving.
Affordability and convenience
Although sari-sari stores offer a variety of commodities within easy reach, there’s debate on allowing them to sell regulated items like prescription medicines. Key benefits include improved accessibility for rural areas lacking pharmacies and immediate access during emergencies.
Existing precedents reveal the benefits
Some over-the-counter medicines are already being sold at sari-sari stores. Pain relief medications such as Ibuprofen (Medicol) and paracetamol (Tempra, Biogesic) for headaches and fever, Loperamide (Diatabs and Imodium) for diarrhea and Cetirizine for allergies are typically sold at sari-sari stores in the Philippines.
Although a bit overpriced compared to traditional boticas, customers often find the setup beneficial. On several occasions, sari-sari storekeepers have shared how the availability of medicines they sell has provided immediate relief to families dealing with minor illnesses.
The risk of allowing presciption medicines at sari-sari stores
Lack of proper medical advice from untrained vendors
It’s safe to say that majority of sari-sari store vendors are not trained to diagnose illnesses or recommend proper medication and dosage. Word of mouth advice on which medicines to buy based on common symptoms do not always translate to the right medical advice and can lead to serious consequences.
Safety issues for expired or counterfeit medicines
It is possible that medicines sold at sari-sari stores are counterfeit, not properly checked for expiration, or mishandled that lead to loss of potency and effectiveness. Sari-sari stores may not have the right storage facility for certain medicines. For example, aspirin (Bayer or Aspilet) can easily break down when exposed to humidity, and certain vitamins (A, E and some B-complex variants) may lose potency when exposed to excessive light.
Potential for abuse and misuse
Some drugs are heavily regulated, and easy access may lead to misuse, particularly for antibiotics. Without a doctor’s supervision and prescription, customers who have ready access to these medicines run the risk of addiction and overuse.
Potential middle ground and solutions
Weighing both the benefits and risks described above, there must be a middle ground and solution that both address accountability and accessibility to address the neighborhood’s need.
Allowing only specific, low-risk prescription medicines under strict guidelines
Low-risk prescription medicines may be sold under strict regulations to ensure safety and proper use.
- Amoxicillin (low-dose, for common infections) – Only if proper guidelines ensure correct dosage and prevent antibiotic resistance.
- Amlodipine (2.5mg/5mg) – For high blood pressure control, but should be prescribed first.
- Salbutamol (Ventolin) Tablets – Used for asthma and respiratory conditions, provided patients are aware of proper use.
- Metformin (500mg) – For Type 2 diabetes, only for diagnosed patients who need refills.
- Other Maintenance Medicines such as Levothyroxine (for hypothyroidism) – Safe for regulated sale to diagnosed patients needing continuous medication.
Set conditions for selling these medicines
Additional layers of safeguards are necessary to protect both patients and storekeepers, ensuring safe and responsible distribution of medicines.
- Permit to sell requirement – Sari-sari stores must secure a special license from the FDA or DOH to sell certain medicines. This ensures only authorized vendors handle prescription drugs.
- Regular inspections – Health authorities should conduct periodic compliance checks to prevent the sale of counterfeit or expired medicines. Non-compliant stores risk fines or license revocation.
- Vendor training & certification – Store owners and vendors must complete basic training on medicine handling, dosage, and safety. Training may be conducted by an agency accredited by the Department of Health or coordinated by the barangay health worker. This ensures they understand proper storage, expiration checks, and potential side effects.
- Sales restrictions & record-keeping – Medicines should be sold at sari-sari stores only for refill purposes, requiring an initial doctor’s prescription. Store owners must log transactions to track sales and prevent misuse.
- Proper storage & handling – Temperature-sensitive drugs should be stored according to manufacturer guidelines, with refrigeration if needed. Guidelines on this should be part of the vendor training and certification process. This will ensure medicines are kept in sealed containers, away from heat, light, and moisture.
- Public awareness & consumer protection – Government agencies should launch education campaigns to inform consumers about proper medicine use. A hotline should be available for reporting counterfeit drugs or health concerns.
- Setting up sari-sari store partnerships with registered pharmacies. This cooperation will enhance knowledge transfer and provide business opportunities for pharmacies, utilizing the strategic presence of sari-sari stores as extension of distribution channel.
While selling prescription medicines at sari-sari stores improves accessibility, it raises safety concerns. A balanced approach—ensuring proper regulation, vendor training, and pharmacy partnerships—can help maintain convenience while prioritising public health and accountability in medicine distribution.