Cebu probes dextrose overpricing amid dengue scourge

Health authorities in Cebu province are investigating reports that unscrupulous drugstores are jacking up the prices of dextrose and intravenous fluids (IVs) after dengue cases there reached the "epidemic threshold." The term "epidemic threshold" means that an area is ripe for an "outbreak." Dr. Susan Madarieta, head of the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas, said the sudden rise in the prices of IV and dextrose was reported to her. Radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate reported on Friday that Madarieta ordered drug regulatory officers to check drugstores near government hospitals for overpricing. At least 1,424 dengue cases had been recorded in Cebu so far this year, compared to 1,009 cases in the same period in 2009. On Thursday, at least 16 people, mostly children, were rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center after showing symptoms of dengue. The dengue situation had prompted Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to instruct the praying of the "oratio imperata" (mandated prayer) at Mass this Sunday. –VVP, GMANews.TV