Leptospirosis drug doxycycline needs prescription, DOH clarifies

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday clarified that prescription is needed to purchase doxycycline or the tetracycline antibiotic used as prophylaxis against leptospiral infection from pharmacies.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Duque said these prescriptions could be obtained at health centers and from any doctor to purchase the antibiotic.

"Punta lang kayo sa inyong health center o sa pinakamalapit na pagamutan, humingi ng reseta para maidispensa kasi may batas tayo," he explained.

"Naintindihan ko 'yung pangangailangan na emergency. Kinakailangan maitukoy kung saan ang may doktor sa city health centers o DOH [Department of Health] hospitals na pwedeng mag-reseta," Duque later added.

The Health secretary's clarification came after complaints of pharmacies refusing the sale of doxycycline streamed in on social media.

"Unang-una, siyempre takot rin 'yung ating pharmacies na makasuhan sila na nagbibigay ng gamot ng walang reseta, so respetuhin natin 'yung batas," he said.

The health chief added that a dose of doxycycline at a generics pharmacy costs P33.

Individuals with low risk of leptospirosis infections, or those with no leg injuries forced to wade through floodwater, were advised to take two doses of doxycycline as prophylaxis against the virus within 24 to 72 hours of contact.

Medium-risk individuals or those with leg injuries such as cuts must take two 100 mg capsules of doxycycline for three to five days.

High-risk individuals, or those who live in flood-susceptible areas or engaged in work that repeatedly puts them in floodwater, were advised to take the same amount every day of the week until the risk of leptospiral infection subsides.

The number of leptospirosis cases is expected to peak following the non-stop rainfall due to effects of the Southwest Monsoon or hanging Habagat. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News