PNP, FDA tie up vs fake drugs

MANILA, Philippines – Aside from drug pushers, police officers will also be running after manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit drugs and unregistered food products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed an agreement on Tuesday with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to step up the campaign against fake drugs available in the market.

Under the agreement, the PNP will get an annual budget of P25 million as part of the government’s efforts to stop the proliferation of fake and substandard drugs, which pose health risks to the public.

FDA director general Nela Charade Puno said the agency would fund the PNP’s operations with an initial amount of P15 million.

Puno said the PNP would investigate and conduct search and seizure operations as well as arrest individuals involved in the production and distribution of unregistered medicine and food products.

“The lack of FDA manpower should not be an excuse for substandard drugs to proliferate,” she said.