Unilab debunks rumors of withholding stocks, hiking prices of flu, cough meds

Local pharmaceutical giant United Laboratories Inc. (Unilab) on Saturday belied “rumors” that the company was withholding stocks in order to hike prices of its popular medicine brands.

Unilab said in a statement that the "rumor" that it was withholding inventories and raising prices of Biogesic, Bioflu, Neozep, Solmux, and Decolgen, causing out-of-stock situations in drugstores, was "not true."

“Unilab has not increased the prices of these brands,” the drug maker said.

Earlier this month, netizens raised concerns on social media about their difficulties in purchasing paracetamol brands and anti-flu pills as they were out of stock in drug stores.

The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) has admitted that a temporary shortage of certain paracetamol brands was being experienced in some areas.

Unilab has apologized to its customers, saying the temporary shortage of some medicine brands in selected drugstores was due to "extraordinary demand."

“The temporary out of stock situation in certain drugstores is due to the extraordinary high demand for products for fever, cough, colds, and flu in certain areas of the country,” the company said.

The pharmaceutical firm said it continues to manufacture and has increased the manufacturing volume of its products.

“We urge everyone to refrain from relying upon and passing on false news in order not to cause public panic and anxiety. We will post, from time to time, relevant information through our social media channels,” Unilab said. — VBL, GMA News