P12-M worth of fake meds released from NAIA Customs despite alert order

Counterfeit medicines estimated to be worth P12 million were released from the Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport despite an alert and hold order, GMA News' "24 Oras" reported on Tuesday.

 

According to the documents obtained by GMA News, 12 packages of healthcare products from Pakistan arrived in NAIA on May 1. They were named under a certain "Jenelyn Higbok." 

 

The "24 Oras" report said an alert order issued on May 6 flagged the shipment so they could not be released.

 

Customs Intelligence received information from brand protection specialist Intellectual Property Manila that the packages contained counterfeit medicines for heart ailments and hypertension, but the item had no permit from the Food and Drug Administration. 

 

Despite the order, the packages were released from NAIA on May 7. And until now, the authorities can't trace the location of the medicines. Thus, they are warning the public about these fake drugs, which are possibly being sold in the market especially in small-town pharmacies. 

 

Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa has written a letter to newly installed Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina asking for permission "to conduct further in-depth investigation to determine the liabilities of all persons involved in the release of said shipment." 

 

"Iimbestigahan natin itong isyu sa pekeng gamot na despite may alert order ay nakalabas pa rin sa NAIA. There is no let up sa campaign natin against smuggling. Lalo na itong mga pekeng gamot, napaka-delikado kapag kumalat sa merkado. We cannot be compassionate about this," said Intelligence Group Special Assistant for Operations Maj JC Cabading. 

 

According to an official of Intellectual Property Manila who requested anonymity, the IP watchdog has been monitoring the supplier of the products. 

 

"We were alarmed kasi itong mga products na ito galing sa supplier na matagal na naming suspected na nagpo-produce or nag-e-export ng counterfeit pharmaceutical products," he said. 

 

The group's managing director John Sacriz shared some tips to avoid being fooled by the fake products. 

 

"Kung makakakita sila ng gamot halimbawang nakita nila na may foreign inscriptions... 'Yung Middle East na letterings. Kung makita nila 'yun, pwede nilang i-report sa FDA," he explained. 

 

GMA News tried to get the side of Customs NAIA regarding the issue but its collector Edgar Macabeo said that they need to conduct their own investigation first before releasing a statement.  — Trisha Macas/ELR, GMA News