NBI seizes fake medical devices

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided several establishments in Manila for allegedly selling and distributing counterfeit medical devices.Agents of the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), headed by lawyers Jose Justo Yap and Dennis Sihyan seized thousands of medical devices consisting of counterfeit sphygmomanometers and stethoscopes allegedly being sold and distributed by Mac Tycoon Marketing, R. Medina Surgical Enterprises, and Tayuman Medical Supply, all located in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Executive Judge Antonio Eugenio, Jr. of Manila RTC Branch 24 issued the search warrants for the raid that took place early this month.

NBI agents recovered 1,267 stethoscopes, 31 aneroid sphygmomanometers and 15 mercurial sphygmomanometers using the ALPK2 brand.

The brand is an intellectual property owned by Fumio Tanaka of Tokyo, Japan.

The law firm of Ong Bagay-Villamor Fabiosa, representing Tanaka filed a compliant with the NBI.

Prior to this, Tanaka’s private investigators IP Manila Associates discovered the illegal activities and conducted test-buys from the raided establishments.

Based on evaluations made by Tanaka’s representatives, the fake medical items were highly unreliable in determining a patient’s blood pressure and could give erroneous results that would seriously jeopardize the patient’s health. The NBI is preparing the filing of criminal charges, including trademark infringement and unfair Competition against the raided companies. Yap said they are merely waiting for a certification from the complainant before filing the criminal charges. – Evelyn Macaira