By Oliver Ross Rivera
SURALLAH, South Cotabato – The municipal government of Surallah is expected to join the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the campaign to increase awareness about counterfeit medicines especially in this time of pandemic.
FDA Mindanao West Cluster Director II Engr. Annette Tan and FDA Region 12 Supervisor Nicanora Rabara met with officials of LGU Surallah Thursday to discuss possible measures that can be adopted to combat the proliferation of fake over-the-counter drugs.
Surallah Mayor Antonio Bendita assured the full support of the LGU to the government’s campaign by creating a Counterfeit Committee through an executive order.
Aside from this, other actions proposed by the FDA include the passing of a municipal ordinance that would impose penalties to violators and strengthen the implementation of Republic Act 8203 or the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs.
RA 8203 covers those that are counterfeit or fake medicines manufactured with harmful ingredients, those containing the correct ingredients but wrong amount of dose, or those with no active ingredients. They can also be mislabeled and apply for both generic drugs and branded drugs.
In addition, counterfeit drugs are not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and did not go through validation and quality standard of the procedure given by the FDA to meet their efficacy, safety, and quality of the drug.
Offering for sale or selling of these fake drugs is a violation of RA 8203 and the FDA Act of 2009.
In an earlier advisory, FDA advised the public to buy medicines from licensed establishments only.
FDA is partnering with LGUs all over the country to gain more allies in this campaign. This is in connection with Proclamation No. 2082 declaring that every 3rd Week of November as the “National Consciousness Week against Counterfeit Medicine” (NCWACM).
The 2021 NCWACM goes with the theme, “Huwag Magpaloko, Manigurado! Gamot na Awtorisado, Yon ang Tangkilin Nyo.” Philippine Information Agency
The Ranao Star 