The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of the Philippines is warning the public and all healthcare professionals regarding the presence of six unregistered drugs in the market.
According to the FDA, these unregistered drugs include Norfloxacin Capsules, Baineting Eye Drops, Santen Daigaku Eye Drugs, Advanced Relief Eye Drops, Ranitidine Hydrochloride Capsules and Hawthorn Fat-Reducing Tablets.
The FDA Advisory No. 2016-012-A indicated that the above unregistered drugs may be harmful to the health of the consuming public.
Anyone caught selling or dispensing unregistered drugs will be penalized
The importation and sale of these unregistered drugs is a violation of the Republic Act No. 9711 and the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009. Any establishment caught importing, selling, and distributing the said unregistered drugs will be penalized, according to Maria Lourdes C. Santiago, the officer in charge, director general at the FDA.
The agency is advising consumers to buy their medications only at drugstores or retailers licensed by the agency. All Local Government Units (LGUs) and other related agencies are encouraged to make sure that the above unregistered products will not be available in their jurisdiction.
FDA ensures the quality and safety of medicine
Santiago reminded the public that aside from inspecting establishments, the government also established other measures such as product evaluation, registration, and examination of laboratories to ensure the safety and quality of medicines.
The agency is reminding everyone to always look for the FDA registration number printed on the label of the products being purchased. Take note that all registered products contain information about the medicine in English and Filipino for consumers to understand it.
