By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

PHOTO: WYD Productions

As certain brands of paracetamol ran out of stock at certain drugstores, a netizen found its own way to have a Biogesic— this, a heightened vigilance against the flu season or the period when influenza cases are prevalent in the Philippines.

A netizen nonchalantly sent a private message asking for the popular paracetamol brand to now Kapuso star and dubbed "king of modern-day Filipino movies" John Lloyd Cruz.

“Idol Popoy. Baka naman meron tayo jan Biogesic. Kahit tatlong banig lang idol. [Nagkakaubusan] na sa mga drugs stores eh. Solid fan mo ako bro since Tabing Ilog days. Ingat!," reads the message sent to John Lloyd's official Facebook page. 

After taking a break from the biz, John Lloyd who is now back in the acting industry with his first show on GMA 7—“Happy ToGetHer", was a brand ambassador for the over-the-counter drug few year ago, where he is most remembered on his dose of “INGAT!” 


Paracetamol brands such as “Biogesic” and names of other similar medications briefly trended online amid the recent rising demand for them after the holidays.

Biogesic— a popular brand made by leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company, United Laboratories Inc. (Unilab)—and other brands of analgesic briefly trended online “due to extraordinary demand’’ for them after the holiday.

Pharmaceutical and healthcare companies assured the public that there were other brands of analgesic available in the market, but Biogesic in particular has temporarily run out of stock in some areas because of issues in transport. 

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez on Tuesday, January 4, said they will also ask the drugstores and pharmacies "to limit purchase quantity just to prevent panic- buying."
 The Department of Health (DOH) also on Tuesday assured the public that there was no shortage in paracetamol and other drugs for flu-like symptoms.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) appealed to the public not to resort to hoarding or panic-buying as it assured that there was no shortage in paracetamol and other drugs for flu-like symptoms in the country.