Questionable shipment of medicine seized

The Bureau of Customs-Subport of Mactan has ordered the seizure of a shipment of medicines from Taiwan after it was found to contain assorted medicines which did not comply with the labeling requirements of the Philippines.

Outgoing BOC-Subport of Mactan collector Ernesto Urbano ordered the seizure of the said shipment by virtue of a warrant of seizure and detention order dated April 17, 2009.

Urbano also ordered CIIS personnel Ronnie Antonio Ylaya, Roberto Palomo, Dionisio Edera and Reuben Angelo Aguilos to witness the examinations/stripping of the said shipment.

The CIIS agents in their Customs Inspection report dated April 16, 2009 stated that the shipment is consigned to May Pharma located at the third floor of F. Ranulfo Bldg., Ramos St., Cebu City.

Customs examiner Calvin Bodaobra inspected three boxes of assorted medicines and found out that it failed to comply with the labeling requirements in the country.

Foreign markings were noted in the shipment wherein the brand name is written bolder than the generic name, with the generic name enclosed in parenthesis, the report added.

He added that the owner presented their valid license to operate and certificate of product registration of the said product but refused to accept the said medicines and recommended that the medicines be sent back to the country of origin. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP    (THE FREEMAN)