FDA issues warning on stolen medicines

MANILA, Philippines—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised the public to be vigilant about stolen products reported by pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories Philippines.

Among the products reported as part of the cargo theft include Ascorbic Acid (Cecon) 500 mg chewable tablet, with registration number DRHR-1608, lot numbers 44783XP, 44784XP and 44785XP and has an expiry date of Aug, 25, 2016; Mutivitamins + Iron (Iberet-Folic 500) film-coated tablet, with registration number DR-XY33496, lot number 44757XP and will expire on Aug. 15, 2016; and Divalproex Sodium (Epival) 250 mg enteric coated tablet, with registration number DR-XY34509, lot number 44762XP and expiry date of Aug. 21, 2016.

The FDA said the lot numbers mentioned above are not guaranteed to be stored according to good storage practice (GSP).

“Thus, the safety, efficacy and quality of these lots are also not assured. These present safety risk and potential adverse health consequences,” the FDA said.

It advised consumers not to purchase nor use the drug products with the stated lot numbers and report to authorities if any of these products are offered for sale.

The FDA also ordered all of its field food and drug regulation officers to seize these products if found available in the market.

“Any adverse reaction experienced from use of the aforementioned products should be reported immediately,” said lawyer Nicolas Lutero III, FDA officer in charge, in a statement.