Pinoy in Austria sends medicines to RP

by HECTOR PASCUA, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

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A Filipino working for an international pharmaceutical company in Austria is thankful to have been given the chance to help Pinoys in need of medicines in the Philippines.

Mar Sembrano, who currently works at the Sanova Pharma and Herba Chemosan, was placed in charge by his employer to dispose excess medicines of excellent quality, but due to damaged packaging, could no longer be distributed and sold by the company locally.

“I am very glad that my employers gave me the chance to gather these medicines. Hindi pa naman sira o expired, only a small damage sa package, medyo natupi lang ng kaunti at hindi na pwedeng ibenta sa mga botika,” said Sembrano.

The native of Pampanga said he thought of other Filipinos in need of medicines and immediately decided to make them beneficiaries.

With the help of Filipino associations in Austria, hundreds of boxes of all kinds of medicines were sent to the Philippines from June 2002 until the end of 2008.

“Since I opened this opportunity for Filipino beneficiaries, I have been directly contacted by NGO’s (non-government organizations) in the Philippines,” Sembrano said.

Most of the organizations organized medical missions by sending the medicines to their contacts in the Philippines.

“Since the influx of medicines from the company is quite enormous, I always see to it that all requests of Pinoy organizations in Austria and from the Philippines are properly coordinated. Such medicines should be properly utilized by needy persons and families. One thing more, the beneficiaries should note that these medicines are for charity and not for sale,” Sembrano added.

Medicines are first sorted out before the shipment since these are labeled in German. Each medicine has a universally-known generic name in accordance with the "Generic Drug Policies" implemented by the World Health Organization and pharmaceutical experts that aim to increase the availability of affordable medicines.

A certain Mr. Herbeck of Sanova Pharma told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau that the company is very happy to know that poor Filipinos are benefitting from the medicines. Herbeck also mentioned that the company will continue to support Sembrano’s projects.

Sembrano, for his part, urged Filipinos around the world: “In whatever work and position we have, if given the chance to help our needy fellow Filipinos, please don’t hesitate."

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