Former nurse caught selling fake medicine

A former registered nurse is now behind bars after she was caught selling adulterated or fake medicine to an undercover officer during a buy-bust operation in Tondo, Manila the other day.

The operation was conducted following reports of rampant selling of fake or expired medicine by fly-by-night drug stores in Metro Manila, according to Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., chief of the General Assignment Section of the Manila Police District.

The subject of the operation was the Aljay Drug Store located along Inocencio street in Tondo. The establishment had been the subject of numerous complaints from consumers who allegedly suffered adverse effects after taking drugs sold over the counter.

During the buy-bust, an undercover officer purchase paracetamol with the brand name "Calpol" from Josefina Presentacion, 60, the owner of the drug store.

Pedrozo said closer examination of the medicine bought showed that it was marked "physician’s sample" and "not for sale," a clear violation of the pharmacy law.

The suspect also failed to show a business permit for operating a drug store, according to Pedrozo.

"The suspect has violated the pharmacy law for selling medicine intended as sample products and is not subject for sale. Worse, the medicine could be adulterated or fake since it was contained in a specially marked bottle not intended for selling. No drug company will market their medicine with special markings, " Pedrozo explained.

The medicine seized from the suspect’s drug store would be sent to the Food and Drug Administration for analysis, before additional charges are filed against the suspect, Pedrozo said.