Pharma group conducts anti-counterfeiting seminar

Save lives by stopping the proliferation of fake medicines. This was the overall thrust of the recently concluded anti-counterfeiting seminar organized by Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) at the Pangasinan Regency Hotel in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

A seminar for the members of the Region 1 Drugstores Association of the Philippines (DSAP) stressed the important responsibilities of medical retailers.

"Our mission is to save lives. Let us do our share in helping society face the great challenge of stopping the proliferation of fake medicines," said Jun Langit, sales director of Zuelline Pharma Corp. (ZPC).

PHAP assistant vice president Eufe Tantia called on the cooperation of industry practitioners to help fight the counterfeit problem.

"There is a need for collaboration among the different sectors of the industry and the different government agencies to fight against counterfeit drugs, The World Health Organization (WHO) has formed the International Medical Product Anti-Counterfeit Taskforce (IMPACT). Some of the stakeholders, aside from WHO, are the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (IFPAA), United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), and International Federation of Pharmacists (IFP). They all serve as a watchdog against fake drugs. Therefore locally, we also need the support of DSAP in fighting against (the sale of) fake medicines," Tantia added.

BFAD Division I regulation chief Nazarita Lanuza emphasized the joint efforts of both the BFAD and DSAP.

Her presentation stressed that the bureau’s mission is "to ensure the safety, efficacy, purity and quality of processed foods, drugs, diagnostic reagents, medical devices, cosmetics and hazardous substances."

Lanuza also shared BFAD’s campaign activities to curb the proliferation of counterfeit drugs such as licensing of establishments, inspection of target establishments, product registration and monitoring, collection and laboratory analysis of samples, proper disposal of used empty vials, capability enhancement, investigation of complaints, forming coalition against counterfeit drugs, organizing workshops with law enforcement agencies, and information exchange through the rapid alert system.

The latter is a Web-based moderated electronic communication network wherein the network members such as the designated focal points from member-countries, partner organizations, and WHO, converge in a discussion forum that will stimulate follow-up action by the respective authorities.

In conclusion, the speakers and participants agreed that counterfeit drugs are dangerous and seriously threaten the health and safety of users, and enjoined everyone to be part of the important campaign. Simply call the toll-free hotline number 1-800-10-FAKEMED to report any information on suspicious counterfeit drug sellers.

Other topics discussed were "The Role of BFAD in the Implementation of RA 8203" by Maria Theresa Gutierrez, foods and drugs regulation officer supervisor, and "Impact on Quality Healthcare" by Marian Andaluz, corporate relations and regulatory affairs manager of Servier Phils. and the vice president of Philippine Association of Hospital Pharmacists.

DSAP-Pangasinan chapter secretary Rolando Villanueva of Farmacia Petilla appealed to DSAP members to help and support the anti-counterfeiting campaign.

The seminar was capped by ZPC’s national sales manager Jeoglin Casinillo who stressed the seminar’s key points and delivered the closing remarks.