Philippines warns of falsified OTC medicines

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Philippines has warned the public about a proliferation of falsified over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that could pose serious health risks.

The announcement was made in connection with the arrest of 36-year-old Alexis Asistio, who is suspected of acting as a distributor and supplier of counterfeit medicines after P1.2m ($23,000) worth of counterfeit drugs including painkillers, diarrhoea treatments and topical steroids made by companies such as Zuellig Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, Unilab, and Pfizer.

The presence, proliferation, and selling of counterfeit OTC medicines in the market poses great danger and health risks to the consumers," said FDA director general Nela Charade Puno (pictured).

"The public should be wary and vigilant against those fake OTC meds. Consumers should buy them only from reputable drug stores," she added.

A full list of the seized medicines appears below:

• 298 boxes of Bioflu (100 tablets per box)
• 200 boxes of Biogesic (500 tablets per box)
• 195 boxes of Alaxan FR (100 tablets per box)
• 395 boxes of Medicol Advance (100 tablets per box)
• 148 boxes of Neozep Forte (100 tablets per box)
• 48 boxes of Solmux (100 tablets per box)
• 18 boxes of Kremil-S (100 tablets per box)
• 8 boxes of Dolfenal (100 tablets per box)
• 8 boxes of Flanax Forte (250 tablets per box)
• 5 boxes of Gardan (200 tablets per box)
• 3 boxes of Imodium (200 tablets per box)
• 4 pieces of Dermovate ointment