FDA intensifies crackdown vs fake meds sold online

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday said it would intensify its crackdown against unregistered products and counterfeit medicines being sold online, including bogus endorsements featuring celebrities or prominent doctors.

Samuel Zacate, director general of the FDA, said they would soon launch “Oplan Katharos,” the agency’s response to concerns about products with questionable safety profiles that are being peddled on social media platforms.

Oplan Katharos, which is the Greek word for “pure,” will be implemented together with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police.

Zacate warned unscrupulous sellers that they face imprisonment of at least one year up to 10 years or a fine ranging from P50,000 to P500,000 under Republic Act No. 9711, or the FDA Act. —Kathleen de Villa

READ:

FDA warns about safety risks of tailored weight-loss drugs

FDA told to coordinate with NBI vs fake online ads