FDA intensifies drive vs fake drugs
With President Duterte’s support, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will mount an intensified campaign against fake medicine, an official said yesterday.
“The President’s backing gives us a firm resolve to stop the sale of counterfeit drugs, which endangers the health of the people,” FDA director general Nela Charade Puno said.
Last week, Duterte ordered the filing of charges of economic sabotage, which is a non-bailable offense, against those involved in the manufacture, importation, distribution and selling of fake drugs.
Puno welcomed the support extended by the Office of the President to the FDA’s war against manufacturers and sellers of counterfeit drugs.
“The President’s support sends a strong message to peddlers of fake drugs that the government is serious to rid the market of counterfeit medicine,” Puno said.
In coordination with the Philippine National Police, the FDA’s Regulatory Enforcement Unit under Allen Bantolo confiscated more than P76 million worth of fake drugs last month.
The operations also resulted in the arrest of 31 individuals for selling counterfeit drugs in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Authorities seized over-the-counter drugs such as paracetamol, mefenamic acid, loperamide and and anti-impotence prescription drugs.
Puno advised consumers to purchase medicine registered with the FDA.
The FDA also warned the public against buying unregistered anti-aging and other beauty products.
In an advisory, the agency said 84 cosmetic products not approved by the FDA are available in the market.
The FDA noted that unregistered beauty products have not been issued authorization for marketing and distribution.
“Since these have not gone through verification process by the FDA, we could not guarantee their safety and may pose health hazards to the consumers,” the agency said.
The FDA said the use of substandard cosmetic products may result in adverse reactions such as skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock and organ failure.
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