Unregistered slimming, whitening drugs seized in Pasig aesthetic clinic raid

Authorities have warned the public against undergoing whitening and slimming procedures using injectable drugs after agents raided an aesthetic clinic in Pasig City that allegedly used unregistered products on clients.

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) swooped down on the clinic following a tip that it was selling and administering injectable drugs that had not passed FDA approval.

According to a report by John Consulta on “24 Oras,” authorities caught a person wearing a doctor’s white coat attempting to leave a room while holding a vial intended for injection into a patient.

The NBI said marked money used in the operation was recovered during the raid, while FDA personnel confiscated various unregistered whitening and slimming drugs inside the clinic.

On the clinic’s second floor, authorities also found a patient connected to what investigators described as an unregistered intravenous (IV) drip.

“Nakatanggap po tayo ng tip at impormasyon na merong nagbebenta ng gamot na hindi po dumaan sa FDA,” said NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag.

(We received a tip and information that there were drugs being sold that did not undergo FDA checks.)

Authorities stressed that the use of unregistered injectable products poses serious health risks because their safety and effectiveness have not been evaluated by regulators.

“Napakahirap po nito kung ang gamot na ituturok sa mga pasyente ay hindi po dumaan sa FDA sapagka’t hindi tayo nakakasiguro kung ligtas ito at maaaring magdulot ng long-term or short-term effect sa kalusugan po ng taong nagamit ng gamot na ito,” Matibag added.

(It would be difficult if the drugs injected into patients do not pass through FDA muster, because we are not sure if these are safe. These may cause long-term or short-term effect on the health of people using these drugs.)

The arrested doctor has undergone inquest proceedings but declined to issue a statement.

The suspect may face charges for alleged violations of the FDA Act, which carry penalties of six to 10 years imprisonment. — JMA, GMA News