Fake drugs seized from 5 pharmacies

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) on Thursday seized fake medicines sold in five pharmacies in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, and Naga.

The agents led by NBI-7 Special Investigator Florante Gaoiran conducted the simultaneous raids past 10 a.m.

The medicines believed to be fake were allegedly sold at a cheaper price compared to those of authentic drugs. Representatives from each of the raided pharmacies were brought to the NBI office in Cebu City for questioning. Unilab Philippines earlier sought the assistance of the NBI to verify reports that counterfeit medicines proliferated and were being sold in Cebu.

Before conducting the raid, NBI-7 agents conducted a test buy to verify the report, said Augusto Isidoro, NBI-7 assistant director.

Judge Ramon Daomilas of the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City issued a search warrant, which the NBI implemented on Thursday morning.

As of 4 p.m., inventory of the seized items was on going at the NBI-7 office at the Capitol Site in Cebu City.

Among the items seized were fake Biogesic, Alaxan, Neozep, Solmux, among others.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines would be filed against the owners of the pharmacies, the police said.