Fake pills operation: Two Chinese released after investigation

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation-7 released Thursday afternoon two Chinese nationals it invited for questioning in the alleged sale of slimming pills not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Siblings Ying Chun Ke and Jui Fu Ke were invited for questioning after the NBI implemented a search warrant at Yu Lian Merchandising along Pelaez Street Thursday morning.

NBI agent Rey Villordon said the two were released in the afternoon. They both denied owning Yu Lian Merchandising.

Yu Lian Merchandising and another store, Beauty Shape Cosmetics, located in Sanciangko Street, Cebu City were subjects of the warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Gilbert Moises over reports that Hokkaido Slimming Pills, which are allegedly unregistered with FDA and the Department of Health–7, are being sold there.

The NBI and DOH representatives confiscated 100 boxes of Hokkaido Slimming Pills, 20 boxes of Pearl White Slimming Capsule, three boxes of Perfect Figure Slimming Capsule, 51 boxes of Leisure 18 Slimming Coffee, and five boxes of Slimming Beauty Capsule from the store.

They also confiscated 11 boxes of Hokkaido Slimming Pills and other banned slimming products from Beauty Shape Cosmetics.

Based on records, Yu Lian Merchandising is operating under the proprietorship of a certain Rinir Luchavez while Beauty Shape Cosmetics is operating under the ownership of a certain Maricar Panerio.

NBI Director Max Salvador said their operation stemmed from the request of DOH and FDA. He said his men conducted surveillance for a month before they applied for a search warrant.

Salvador said the products seized were not certified by FDA and DOH because it has side effects detrimental to human health. Taking the products can cause celebral hemorrhage, hypertension, non-fatal stroke, non-fatal heart attack or even death, extreme fever, rapid muscle breakdown, tremor, psychosis and coma.

The DOH Regional Health Office in Cebu City has certified that Hokkaido Slimming Pills, Pearl White Slimming, Ballet Dancer Fat Reducing, Bio-lissoen Fat Reducing, Cell Life Slimming Coffee, Qi Xian Nu, Elegant Shape Fat Reducing, Seven Days Miracle, Goodliness Fat Reducing, Happyslim, Leisure 18 Slimming Coffee, Lightness Fat Reducing, Maggie Fitness Essence, Mei Shen Ling Anti-Obesity, Perfect Figure Slimming, Pill for Weight Reduction, Pretty Model, Perfect Slim and Quiaomei Fat Binder were  unregistered products by the FDA  per Advisory No. 2014-002.

Villordon said the bureau will file charges against Luchavez and Panerio next week for violating Republic Act 3720 or the Foods, Drugs, and Devices and Cosmetics Act. —/JMO (FREEMAN)