No fake medicine seized in Cebu since 2013- FDA

CEBU, Philippines - The Food and Drugs Administration-7 has clarified that no counterfeit or fake medicines were confiscated in Cebu since last year.

This after the Pharmaceutical Security Institute- Asia Pacific released information that Cebu is one of the areas where fake drugs are rampant, aside from Metro Manila and Laguna.

Rica Reina Aumentado, officer-in-charge of FDA-7, said that they confiscated medicines from at least five pharmacies in the city since last year but the laboratory results are still pending.

“Dili pa sad nato maingon nga counterfeit to or fake not unless proven by laboratory results,” she said, adding that the taking of samples was part of their post-market surveillance in different pharmacies and drug stores in the region.

“We have FDA laboratory in Barangay Jagobiao (Mandaue City) but until now wala pay result but there are times that samples are submitted to our central office,” she said.

If proven that a pharmacy has violated the rules and regulations of the FDA, appropriate sanctions will be imposed.

Last June, almost 200 boxes of slimming and powders not registered with FDA were seized by the National Bureau of Investigation from two establishments during simultaneous raids in the downtown area.

But authorities have clarified that the confiscated items are not medicine but are classified under cosmetics.

Confiscated were assorted boxes of Hokkaido Slimming Pills, Pearl White Slimming Capsules, Perfect Figure Slimming Capsule, Leisure Slimming Coffee and Slimming Beauty Capsules.

Based on laboratory results, Hokkaido Slimming Pills and other pills contain amphetamine, sibutramine, and steroids.

Amphetamine causes irregular heartbeat, confusion, urine retention, and painful urination, hyperthermia, muscle pain, severe agitation, rapid breathing and tremor. Fatal amphetamine poisoning usually involves convulsion and coma.

Sibutramine also increases the risk of serious heart events, including non-fatal heart attack or non-fatal stroke or death.

The FDA has recently emphasized its warning to consumers against using substandard or counterfeit medicines during the celebration of the National Consciousness Week Against Counterfeit Medicines.

These medicines range from random mixtures of harmful toxic substances to inactive and useless preparations. Also, contents of counterfeits are unreliable because their sources are unknown or vague. These drugs can cause harm to patients and sometimes lead to death.

“That is why we have to remind the public to always buy at licensed pharmacies and always ask for receipt as well as check the label of drug products,” said Nemia Getes, Food and Drugs Regional Officer.

Common counterfeit medicines are antibiotics, antihypertensive and products for erectile dysfunction.

 “We want the public to inform our office if they have bought fake or counterfeit medicines for us to collect samples, evaluate these and enforce action,” Getes said. (FREEMAN)