FDA shuts down pharmacy, warehouse

MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked the license of a pharmacy in Tarlac and padlocked it for selling unregistered health products.

The FDA also imposed a P1.07-million fine against Farrah Bunch, owner of Natural Medical Center, which caters to cancer patients.

Despite a previous cease and desist order, Bunch continued selling the unregistered products, prompting the FDA to impose fines and other penalties.

According to the FDA, a closure order was issued after the agency found substantial evidence that Bunch violated the law.

“FDA is dedicated to making sure that alternative medicines and treatment abide by regulations and are duly registered to ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of these products,” FDA director general Nela Charade Puno said. 

Bunch claimed that the herbal medicines for various ailments, including cancer that she supposedly invented were already with the FDA for registration.

As this developed, the FDA also seized almost P2 million worth of unregistered veterinary medicine from a pharmaceutical company in Bulacan.

FDA Regulatory Enforcement Unit chief Allen Bantolo said the agency ordered the closure of Tryco Pharma Corp. and its warehouse in San Rafael, Bulacan.

Bantolo said the pharmaceutical firm was found liable for manufacturing and selling eight brands of unregistered veterinary drugs.