Chinese ‘doctor’ nabbed during NBI raid on illegal pharmacy

A Chinese national who claimed to be a doctor was arrested Friday during a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raid on an illegal pharmacy in Parañaque City.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras,” authorities were surprised to find an individual treating patients when they raided the second floor of a condominium.

“Nagulat kami. Kasi all the while we were thinking na nagbebenta lang ng unlicensed na, ano, unregistered pharmaceutical products,” Palmer Mallari, NBI Anti Fraud Division Chief, said.

“But apparently, there was this Chinese national na nakita namin mismo na naga-attend to patients, nagcu-cure siya ng patients. Meron nga kaming inabutan doon na isang patient na naka dextrose pa,” Mallari added.

The Professional Regulation Commission confirmed that the supposed doctor did not have a license to practice medicine.

Meanwhile, the NBI confiscated several boxes of unregistered Chinese medicines found in a pharmacy in the condominium.

“Ang practice ng isang profession sa Pilipinas ay pinagtitibay sa pamamagitan ng isang lisensya na binibigay ng PRC. Bilang kasiguruhan na ang mga taong nag e-engage ng profession, gaya ng medical profession, ay mga sanctioned,” Mallari said.

“Kung wala kang lisensya, wala kang permiso, ibig sabihin hindi sigurado na malulunasan ang ating mga karamdaman at malamang mapasama pa ang ating kalagayan kapag nagpacheck-up tayo sa ganitong klaseng mga tao,” he added.

The arrested Chinese national declined to comment.

He will face charges over violation of the Food and Drugs Administration Act and Medical Act for treating patients without a license. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News