Lianhua Qingwen taken off dangerous drugs list
Manila – The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), after months of deliberations, has provisionally removed Lianhua Qingwen from the list of dangerous drugs.
In a statement, the Philippine Archipelago International Trading Corporation said the timing could not be better as the country faces a surge in COVID-19 cases reaching the 5,000 mark.
The Philippine College of Emergency Medicine reported an observation of family clustering of COVID-19 cases. The surge has resulted in the localized lockdown in different parts of the National Capital Region and the curfew beginning at 10:00 P.M. until 5:00 A.M. within the next two weeks.
Prescriptions will no longer be required to purchase Lianhua Qingwen Capsule and now available at a major drug store chain across the country and other drugstores.
The PAITC expressed its appreciation for the immediate and favorable action by the DDB and other executive offices.
The same statement disclosed the herbs in Lianhua Qingwen were traditionally used to clear wind-heat from and detoxify the lungs, treat cases with fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose, aversion to cold, muscle soreness, headache, wheezing, all symptoms present in COVID-19.
The PAITC then requested the Office of the President to help in the reclassification of Lianhua Qingwen capsules to over-the-counter drug to make them more accessible to the Filipino people.
It was then referred to the Dangerous Drugs Board’s Committee on Reclassification and after a public hearing, focused discussions and thorough evaluation, it was recommended by the Committee and resolved by the DDB Board under Regulation No. 1, Series of 2021. The removal from the list of dangerous drugs will last for a period of one year according to Section 94 of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The DDB decision will take effect 15 days after publication. The removal from the list of dangerous drugs has been in effect since March 12,2021. (Melo M. Acuña)
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