P2.5M fake food supplements, slimming pills seized

Simultaneous raids on five drug stores in Manila yield fake dietary supplements and slimming products prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration due to their toxic ingredients. JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines–The police seized on Tuesday P2.5 million worth of fake food supplements for men that reportedly boost their sex drive and banned slimming products during simultaneous raids on five drugstores in Manila.

Raided by members of the Manila Police District’s legal office were Shun Xin Chinese Drugstore in Binondo and Anson Drugstore, Destiny Chinese Drugstore, Detz Trading and East West Chinese Drugstore and General Merchandise in Sta. Cruz.

The police conducted the raid after test-buys for Robust, a food supplement that claims to stimulate a man’s sex drive, and slimming products banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the brand names Hokkaido Slimming Pills, Ballet Dancer Fat Reducing, Mei Shen Ting Anti-Obesity and Pearl White Slimming Pills.

The ban was due to the slimming products’ harmful ingredients such as ampethamine and sibutramine.

Amphetamine causes irregular heartbeats, painful urination and muscle pain, among other side effects, while sibutramine increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The owners and personnel of the raided drugstores may be charged with violation of the Intellectual Property Code, Food and Drug Administration Act and Consumer Act of the Philippines.