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FDA warns against fake Hepatitis C medicines


The Philippines' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against a fake Hepatitis C medicines circulating in Southeast Asia.

The FDA said the fake medicine brands include:

  • Sofosbuvir + Ledipasvir (Ledso) 400 mg/ 90 mg capsule
  • Daclatasvir (Dakavir) 60 mg capsule

It said that based on an advisory from the World Health Organization (WHO) the fake medicines have been circulating around South Est Asia and "may reach the Philippine market."

The FDA also warned those who will be caught selling the falsified medicine.

"The presence of these identified products pose potential danger or injury to the consuming public and the importation, selling or offering for sale of such is in direct violation of Republic Act No. 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009," the agency added.

Pursuant to the warning first issued by WHO, the FDA said that the fake medicines were labeled as manufactured by Pharco Corporation based in Alexandria, Egypt.

Pharco released a statement denying the company produces such products.

The FDA said it has deployed its Officers of the Field Regulatory Operations Office to inspect drug stores and similar establishments.

"All establishments and outlets are hereby warned against selling and/or dispensing the identified products. Anyone found selling the said products will be penalized... Likewise, all local government units and law enforcement agencies are requested to ensure that these products are not sold or offered for sale in their localities or area of jurisdiction," FDA said. —ALG, GMA News

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