Thursday, September 11, 2003
Fake drugs seized from city pharmacies
By Raquel C. Bagnol
DAVAO -- A total of 68 boxes of fake drugs and medicines were seized from a drugstore with six branches in Davao City during a search conducted Saturday, police reported Wednesday.
A team composed of representatives from the Department of Health, Bureau of Food and Drugs and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency raided all the branches of the Davao Medica Distributor and Retailer in the city armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Emmanuel Carpio of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16.
Carpio said the seized fake medicines are worth "millions of pesos."
Raiding sub-teams simultaneously raided the six branches of Davao Medica around 9 a.m. Saturday.
Initial reports said Jee A. Ayuste and Aracele P. Benito and registered pharmacists Joyen Manasala, Lafonsia Ancia, Gina Maranan, Lilibeth Rancho and Anna Marichu Estaca were the listed owners of the drugstores.
Davao Medica's main branch is situated on Sta. Ana Ave. corner F. Bangoy St. while five other branches are located in Catalunan Grande, corner Jacinto and Mapa Streets, corner Palma Gil and Sobrecary Streets, Bo. Obrero and at the Lourdes T. Building in Toril, Davao City.
"This is a violation of Republic Act 8203, also known as the special law on counterfeit drugs. Kawawa naman ang mga tao, bumibili ng mga gamot na peke (Poor residents, they are buying fake drugs)," Carpio told Sun.Star Wednesday.
Among the fake medicines confiscated are the most commonly used, like Tempra, Calpol, Ventolin, Ceelin, Robitussin, Ceporex, Disudrin, Betet and herbal tea.
The fake drugs and medicines are allegedly bought from various suppliers in Metro Manila and distributed in Davao City.
(September 11, 2003 issue) |
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