7 sacks of counterfeit antibiotics, ulcer drugs seized in Pampanga

The sacks of antibiotics and other drugs seized from the suspect. (Photo from the Pampanga Police Provincial Office)

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga––Police had confiscated seven sacks of counterfeit antibiotics and ulcer drugs from a suspected drug peddler arrested in Guagua town in this province, a belated police report disclosed Monday, Sept. 27.

The Pampanga police identified the arrested suspect as Joy Simon, 47, a resident of Sasmuan town.

It said the suspect was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Sept. 23 in Sto. Cristo village in Guagua. Four sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) were allegedly confiscated from him.

The Guagua police also seized from the suspects two sacks of co-amoxiclav (antibiotic), a sack of celecoxib (anti-inflammatory), a sack of cefuroxime (antibiotic), and a sack of etoricoxib (anti-inflammatory).

Also seized were a sack of omeprazole and a sack of recombinant human erythropoietin ( rHuEPO).

According to the Food and Drug Administration and Monthly Index of Medical Specialties, omeprazole is used to treat an ulcer while rHuEPO is an anti-anemia hormonal agent.

The police said they also recovered from the suspect the marked peso bills used in the sting operation.

They said the suspect is facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs, and the Philippine Pharmacy Act.

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