MANILA – Counterfeit versions of popular over-the-counter medicines are becoming increasingly available in the market, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA recently issued public advisories against the fake versions of nine drug products, namely Diatabs, Solmux, Flanax, Biogesic, Neozep Forte, Tuseran Forte, Alaxan FR, Decolgen Forte and Kremil-S.
The FDA showed photos of the authentic drug products alongside the counterfeit versions.
The genuine and fake medicines look almost the same except for some slight discoloration in the latter.
“All health-care professionals and the general public are hereby warned as to the availability of these counterfeit drug products in the market, which pose potential danger or injury to consumers,” the regulatory agency said in the latest public advisories.“Consumers are reminded to purchase drug products only from FDA-licensed establishments,” it stressed.
The FDA also warned establishments and outlets from selling or dispensing counterfeit drug products.
Last May, the FDA issued public advisories against counterfeit versions of nine medicine brands, namely Alaxan, Neozep Forte, Bioflu, Tuseran Forte, Ponstan, Diatabs, Kremil-S, Medicol Advance and Lomotil.
Selling fake drug products is penalized under the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs of 1996, or Republic Act No. 8203, and the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, or Republic Act No. 9711.
RA 8203 imposes the penalty of imprisonment ranging from six years up to 10 years and a fine of between P100,000 and P500,000 or both, for the manufacture, sale or distribution of counterfeit drugs.
For possession of counterfeit drugs, the penalty is imprisonment of at least six months up to six years. However, the law absolves from liability those who can show official receipts of purchase or documents on importation and exportation.
If an illness, physical injury or suffering was aggravated as a result of the use of the counterfeit drug, the punishment is imprisonment of at least 12 years up to 15 years and a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000.
If the counterfeit drug was the proximate cause of death of someone who unknowingly purchased and consumed a counterfeit drug, the penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of between P500,000 and P5 million.
Meanwhile, if the counterfeit drug is intended for animals, the penalty is imprisonment of between six months up to two years and four months. (Dona Z. Pazzibugan © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
