Typhoon Sendong: Price Watch on Medicines, Water and other goods

This is an extensive research done by volunteer @mjeansaberon and sent to us via e-mail. Reposting important details below:

WATER
[Research done in a Puregold branch in Starmall]

The cheapest ones are the bottled water packaged exclusively for PureGold. Very cheap compared to other well-known bottled water labels.
Aqualife – Purified Drinking Water (volume and price per bottle)

1L – Php 12.50
500ml – Php 7.80
330ml – Php 6.50
250ml – Php 5

Aqualized – Mineral Water (volume and price per bottle)

500ml – Php 7.35
330ml – Php 6.20

Based on their carton packaging, there is a total of 12L per carton regardless of bottle water capacity. Basically, 12KGs. The 12L setup seems applicable to other well-known bottled water labels. Summit water has a 6L/gallon container. There are 3 containers per carton packaging so that’s a total of 18L per box. The price should be around 50 pesos per gallon.

MEDICINE
[Research done in a branch of Generic Pharmacy (GP) in Starmall; medical supplies listed below are based on this post]

Oral Rehydration Salts: Oral rehydration for adults and children (DUCOLITE and PEDIALITE, or HYDRITE)

Php 8.00 each – 250ml
(If I remember correctly, it was explained to me that DUCOLITE, PEDIALITE and HYDRITE are brand names)

Antibiotics broad spectrum for adults and children

(I was asked which one actually since there are many kinds of antibiotics.)

Anti tetanus TETANUSTOXIDE, so many have deep cuts

Not available.
(From what they explained to me, this is something like an IV pack and are usually available through hospitals. Or is it not generally available over-the-counter.)

Cephalexin 500 mg capsule

Php 5.25 each capsule.
A pad contains 10 pieces.

Cephalexin Suspension 250 mg/5 mL

Php 58.00

Erythromycin Suspension 200 mg/5 mL

Php 77.00

Cephalexin Drops

Php 36.00

Paracetamol Drops

Php 24.00

Paracetamol Syrup 120 mg/5 mL

What they have is the one in 125mg/5ml and it is Php 24.00.

Paracetamol Tablets

Php 0.60 centavos each.
There are 100 pieces in a box, so it’ll only cost Php 60.00 to buy a box of paracetamol.

Antacid Tablets and Suspensions

It is Php 150.00 for tablet in 200mg/100mg.
It is Php 46.00 for suspension in 200mg/100mg/120ml.

Metronidazole Suspension

Php 29.20 for 125mg/60ml.
This is for amoebiasis.

Metronidazole 500 mg Tablets

Php 2.00

Carbocisteine Drops

Php 28.00

Carbocisteine Syrup (125 mg/5 mL)

Php 28.00

Carbocisteine 500 mg Capsules

Php 2.50

Syringes Guage 23

Not available.
(It is most likely this is for the anti-tetanus according to one of their comments.)

Cotrimoxazole 800 mg Tablets

Php 2.75

Cotrimoxazole Suspension 200 mg/5 mL

Php 29.00

Salbutamol Syrup

Php 26.00
This is for anti-asthma.

Salbutamol Tablets

It is Php 0.75 centavos each for tablets in 2mg.
It is Php 1.00 each for tables in 4mg.

Agua Oxenada

Php 13.00.

Gauze pads

If not sterilized, it is Php 2.25.
If sterilized, it is Php 4.50.

Iodine

Php 37.00
(I forgot the name they mentioned for the iodine but definitely used for wounds.)

Notes:

I forgot to note down which of the medicine is not sold over-the-counter for personal use since it requires doctor’s prescription. However, I was told I can still buy the medicine as OTC transaction if it’s for medical mission.
Anyway, I’ve been hearing on TV that medicines are still needed aside from water. I hope we get info which of the items above are more low in supply so it’s possible to have a small package shipped directly to groups with medical missions.

UNDERWEAR

I saw a kiosk in Starmall selling some undies for kids for the price of Php 50.00 for 3 pieces. I don’t know if that’s cheap but that should give many an idea what they can budget for underwear donations.

Thank you so much, @mjeansaberon! If any of our readers can contribute further to this post, please leave your comments below or send us an e-mail.

Updated as of 24 December 2011, 12:30 PM.

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