FDA to examine iron supplements

THE Department of Health (DOH) has already sent the samples of the micronutrient supplement, which was distributed to the students of the Lawigan National High School in Mati City, Davao Oriental, to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for further examination after over a hundred students suffered stomach pain after its consumption last July 12.

DOH assistant secretary for Mindanao Cluster and Davao Regional Director doctor Abdullah Dumama Jr., in an interview at the sidelines of the 39th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDRP) week celebration, said that the batch of the supplement they used during the administration has been submitted to FDA for observation.

“We need to clarify pa sa ngayon para po sigu- rado,” Dumama added.

Dumama said the iron supplement is necessary to address iron deficiency anemia in schools nationwide and it is intended to make the students who are vulnerable of diseases have a healthier body condition.

Dumama said they will continue with their nationwide drive to distribute iron supplement for the school children amid

the recent incident involving 123 students of Lawigan National High School who were rushed to hospital for abdominal pain and dizziness after taking the medicine.

He said they have already conducted investigation on the incident but will still proceed with its delivery.

“Itutuloy po natin [ang distribution] dahil wala naman tayong napatunayan na overload of ferrous sulfate, ang napatunayan lang doon may mga irritation during the time ng ingestion,” Dumama said.

He said that based on the result of the medical examinations on the students, it was found out that they experience gastric irritation, which is normal when taking the iron supplement.

“It’s a nationwide [program] at sa atin lang nangyari yon. Napakarami pang skwelahan mga bata na binigyan ng ganyan every week at mukha namang walang reklamo,” he noted.

DOH dismissed the accusation that the tablet they gave to the students has reached its expiration, citing that its expiration is on 2019. It was said if the stomach is empty when taking the iron supplement, it is expected that there would be some stomach irritation, thus, the DOH has readied porridge for the students prior to the intake.