Customs recovers P9 million worth of missing anti-ulcer drugs

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) ordered an internal inquiry regarding the apparently “questionable" release of a P9-million shipment of anti-ulcer and heartburn medication manufactured by Nicomed of Germany. This was announced after the agency recovered the shipment upon the request of pharmaceutical distributor Zuellig Pharma Corp. The shipment, which arrived in January, comprised of 61 boxes of 21,960 vials of 40-milligran Pantoloc Pantoprazole. “If these were not recovered, these would have been sold illegally and could be dangerous if administered to patients. That could have translated to over 21,000 lives put at risk," BOC commissioner Napoleon L. Morales said in a statement. As a result, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Customs personnel involved in the processing, assessment, and release of the shipment will be investigated by the Customs internal inquiry and prosecution division. The shipment was released to Majestic Freight Forwarders after paying a measly P56, 599.00 in duties and taxes for the shipment undervalued at $4,000. “These should not have been released by NAIA customs with the gross undervaluation of the medicines," Morales said. BoC said Zuellig is "inclined to destroy the lot since the quality and efficacy of the drug might have been compromised" while in Majestic Freight Forwarders’ possession. A certain Rommel Palma, an employee of Majestic Freight Forwarders, requested authority from Zuellig for Nicomed's forwarder Kuehne+Nagel (AG&Co.) to release the shipping documents. The shipment consigned to Zuelling Pharma arrived via flight KL830 in January 24, three days before Palma informed the pharmaceutical distributor. "Zuellig issued the said authorization and the shipping documents covering the shipment of Pantoloc IV was released to Majestic’s alleged representatives. The shipment was released at around 5:30 in the afternoon of the same date and claimed by a certain Myra Principe," the statement read. Majestic Freight Forwarders later demanded from Zuellig reimbursement for P1.5 million it allegedly paid Customs for the release for the release of the shipment. However, Zuellig declined to pay. "To goad Zuellig and prove that the goods were indeed with them, Majestic loaded the drug in a truck and brought before Zuellig’s premises. Majestic also presented a Land Bank of the Philippines receipt and import entry which both turned out to be fake," the statement read. Ruby Anne M. Rubio, GMANews.TV