Authorities seize unregistered meds, nab 3 Chinese nationals in Clark

Three Chinese nationals were arrested during a raid in Clark, Pampanga for selling medicines supposedly to cure COVID-19 but which are not registered with the Food and Drug Administration.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, one of the suspects was allegedly a doctor.

During the raid, the FDA and the National Bureau of Investigation seized boxes of medical supplies, syringes, tablets, alcohol, and IV solutions, all of which had Chinese labels on them.

Police said the suspects hid the medical supplies at their supermarket’s stock room.

FDA chief administrative officer Gomel Gabuna said the labels on the medical supplies had no English translation.

“So violation na po ito ng labeling requirement ng FDA,” Gabuna said.

He added the medical supplies were not registered with the FDA and were the same as the ones they confiscated in an underground clinic recently.

Authorities said the suspects allegedly served as the supplier of an underground clinic exclusive for Chinese COVID-19 patients, which was earlier discovered in a leisure resort at the Clark Freeport Zone.

“Most probably ay ginagamit nila ito sa mga COVID,” Gabuna said

Parañaque raid

Meanwhile, more Chinese medicines and medical supplies were seized during a raid at an illegal clinic in Parañaque City.

According to a separate Sunday “24 Oras Weekend” report, National Capital Region Police Office said the medicines were allegedly used for treating COVID-19.

Investigators had been watching the Parañaque clinic for a week.

NCRPO chief Debold Sinas said they were investigating who owned the clinic. — DVM, GMA News