Duterte orders Dela Rosa: Go after peddlers of fake drugs

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte on Tuesday night ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to stop the proliferation of fake medicine in the market by arresting and charging those behind the illicit trade.

Chief Presidential Legal counsel Salvador Panelo said Duterte wants peddlers of fake drugs charged with economic sabotage, which is a non-bailable offense.

“Those acts undermine not only the economy but also endangers the health of the people,” Panelo said.

The President issued the order after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public against counterfeit paracetamol, a pain reliever, being sold in the market.

 FDA director general Nela Charade Puno issued the warning after police seized P3 million worth of fake drugs during a raid in Sampaloc, Manila recently.

At least 46 boxes containing different brands of over-the-counter and anti-impotence prescription drugs were confiscated during the raid on a warehouse allegedly owned by Florenda dela Rose Cortez and her Pakistani partner, Mushtaq Tahir.