FDA taps PNP vs fake drugs

The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have joined forces to combat the proliferation of counterfeit, unregistered, adulterated and misbranded drugs, food, cosmetics and health products in the market.

According to FDA director general Nela Charade Puno, the first batch of 111 FDA and PNP personnel have completed the two agencies’ enforcement training to enable them to protect consumers from these illegal products.

“I am excited with the powerful synergy that I expect to be formed between the FDA and the PNP, as they provide additional law enforcement muscle in the FDA’s campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs and substances and fake, unregistered health products,” she said.

According to Puno, FDA regulates more than a quarter of the Philippine economy that deals with critical food and drug safety. “We are mandated by law to ensure that only pure, safe, efficacious and good quality drugs, food, cosmetics and health products and devices are made available to the public,” she said.

Puno said the “current proliferation of counterfeit, unregistered, adulterated and misbranded health products in the market pose danger to life, health and safety of the public.”

“This is clearly contrary to the Constitution which states that it is the policy of the state to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them,” she added.

Puno said this is the reason the FDA pursued the “strategic team-up” with the PNP.

“This task force aims to give the one-two-three punch that will knock out the syndicates who are plying their criminal trade to an unsuspecting public,” she added.

Among the topics covered in the training were the FDA Act of 2009, the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs, Generics Act, Pharmacy Law, Food Safety Act, Milk Code and the Cheaper Medicine Law.