Lawmaker calls for war against fake drugs

Cebu Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. has called for a new nationwide war against counterfeit drugs following the seizure of fake prescription and overthe-counter medicine from five pharmacies in Cebu.

“Law enforcement agencies should spare no effort in running after syndicates engaged in the illicit manufacture and distribution of fake medicine,” he said.

“Counterfeit drugs defraud consumers and may be harmful to the health of patrons. In some cases, they are likely to put at risk the lives of seriously ill patients,” he said.

Gullas made the statement after the National Bureau of Investigation confiscated several boxes of imitation medicine during simultaneous raids on five pharmacies in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Naga – all in Cebu province.

The pharmacies were found selling bogus versions of popular branded medicine such as Amoclav, Calcibloc, Alaxan FR, Inoflux, Solmux, Solmux Broncho, Aspilets, Biogesic, Diatabs, Tuseran, Neozep, Medicol Advance, Decolgen, Dolfenal, Bioflu, Skelan, Kremil S, Qinolon, Disudrin, Decilone, NeoPyrazon, Ceelin, EnervonC, Revicon and Myra-E.

The spurious drugs and their packaging looked exactly like their genuine versions, Gullas said.

“Besides ripping off consumers, the criminals behind these fake drugs also cheat the government of tax income. They should be apprehended, prosecuted and put behind bars,” he said.

Gullas said he is counting on the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to take administrative action against pharmacies found selling fake medicine, regardless of their excuse.

“We support small business owners, including licensed pharmacies. But it goes without saying they are supposed to guarantee the authenticity of every product they dispense,” he added.

He noted that according to the BFAD, counterfeit medicine may be contaminated or contain no active ingredient or the wrong ingredients.

“They could have the right active ingredient but at the wrong dose. Counterfeit drugs are dangerous,” he said.