Counterfeit drugs, 

a two-headed 

monster

 View Special report...    

The Forum, which was jointly sponsored by Pfizer and Glaxo Smith Kline, was participated in by Dr. Budiano Santoso, regional adviser for pharmaceuticals of the World Health Organization (Western Pacific), Dr. Jean-Marc Olivé, WHO country representative in the Philippines, Nazarita T. Lanuza, chief of Regulation Division I of the Bureau of Food And Drugs, and Mr. Eufe Tantia, assistant vice president of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP).

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The twin evils of substandard and unregistered drugs

Our guests explained that counterfeit drugs can be classified into two categories: sub-standard drugs, and unregistered or illegally distributed drugs. Sub-standard drugs according to Dr. Santoso, Dr. Olivé and Ms. Lanuza do not contain the required active ingredients or composition for a particular drug, while unregistered drugs may have the required active ingredients but did not pass the scrutiny of the government agency giving the approval for their distribution in the country.

Sub-standard drugs victimize our hapless countrymen who have to cut on the food that they put in their mouths just to afford medicine. It is a crime of unimaginable proportions, for while addictive drugs thrive on those who insist to use them because they wanted to get "sick", sub-standard drugs prey on those who are sick but who wanted so much to get well.

Research showed that the distribution of sub-standard drugs is part of an international syndicate’s operation in Asia. 

Unregistered and illegally distributed drugs on the other hand may serve as the right medication to patients, but also deprive our country of badly needed revenues. If done in a large scale and in cahoots with corrupt government officials and personnel, it is a crime tantamount to economic sabotage. 

The proliferation of counterfeit drugs, both substandard and unregistered, greatly undermines the normal operations of the local pharmaceutical industry, which loses an estimated P8-billion annually.

No data or statistics, however, are available to establish the exact magnitude of both crimes. Our guests can only cite safe estimates. 

The government agencies concerned are both undermanned and lacking in modern equipment to conduct a nationwide campaign. What is needed is a heightened public awareness and consumer vigilance. It is only the direct involvement of the people themselves that can ultimately thwart this evil.

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BFAD clamps down on drug stores selling counterfeit drugs

"This year, the BFAD has closed 47 drug stores, all within the prescribed 30-day period with which to finish the case filed against a drugstore owner caught selling counterfeit drugs; BFAD has also permanently closed some pharmacies found guilty," said Nazarita T. Lanuza, chief of BFAD’s Regulation Division I. Obviously, this is a mere drop in the bucket. BFAD officials have cited the lack of manpower and resources to conduct a nationwide monitoring and surveillance. 

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P8-billion worth of counterfeit drugs flood the Philippine market

The pharmaceutical market is valued at P80-billion Lanuza said. Although there are no data or statistics available, Lanuza estimated that seven to ten percent (7-10%) of the drugs in the market are counterfeit. This means that they are either substandard, or unregistered, Lanuza explained. That's P5.6-billion to P8-billion worth of counterfeit drugs flooding the Philippine market, victimizing innocent consumers and depriving government of much-needed revenue. And this is only based on a safe estimate, the volume can even be higher.

The list of counterfeit drugs includes analgesic, antibiotic, anti-diabetes and vitamins, she said. However, BFAD could not say whether they are manufactured here or abroad, since they are seized from the small drugstores and not from the manufacturers she added.

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"The Philippines has good laws on drug safety" – WHO

According to Dr. Jean-Marc Olivé, country representative of the WHO in the Philippines, the Philippines has very good laws on drug safety and counterfeit drugs. 

But concerned observers ask, "is there teeth to the law?" There is, in fact, a special law imposing penalties against counterfeit drugs, but no assessment has been made as to how effective the law has been in actually preventing the sale of fake drugs in the country. Fake medicines have been found in "boticas" that do not even have licensed pharmacists as frontliners.

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Sub-standard drug: A Silent Killer

"Sub-standard drug is a silent killer," Dr. Budiono Santoso, WHO regional adviser in pharmaceuticals for Western Pacific, emphasized. It doesn’t contain the necessary active ingredient of a particular drug, he said, and could lead to fatal side effects. Substandard drugs are distributed in the country either hiding under the cloak of generic drugs, or blatantly bearing the trademarks and packaging of established brands.

"To counter its proliferation, there is a need for the participation of all sectors of society and the law enforcement agencies in monitoring and tracking its distribution," Santoso pointed out. Although no data is available as basis, Santoso considers the Philippines not a big risk in counterfeit drugs.

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"LGUs should pass local ordinances punishing sale of fake drugs" - PHAP

Mr. Eufe Tantia, assistant vice president of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) said that no study is being made to establish the exact volume of counterfeit drugs being distributed in the country.

"As a private concern, we can do nothing concerning the implementation of laws to counteract counterfeit drugs. In support of the program, we actively participate in the technical working group of BFAD in conducting seminars to detect counterfeit drugs. We launched public awareness campaign against counterfeit drugs among drug store owners, distributors, pharmacists, as well as with the representatives from the law enforcement agencies like the PNP, NBI and others. We have displayed posters against counterfeit drugs printed in the vernacular, and designed by the WHO." Tantia said.

"Our group is also engaged in surveillance operations drugs in coordination with the police against drug stores suspected of selling counterfeit drugs." Tantia disclosed.

We also encourage local government units to pass ordinances that punish or penalize drug stores caught selling counterfeit drugs. The Quezon City council is already discussing Republic Act 8003, Special Laws on Counterfeit Drugs." Tantia added.

Tantia expressed apprehension about the plans to import drugs from India because of low prices, since drugs in India are subject to price control. He cited a report published in an international paper that 1 out of 4 drug manufacturers in India is unscrupulous. There are more than 23,000 drug companies in India competing in the market said Tantia. A letter was already sent to the government agency concerned for proper action, he said.

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Consumer vigilance

At the level of consumers, it is difficult for lay people to distinguish between fake and genuine drugs, but some degree of protection can be achieved by: 1.) buying only registered products; and 2.) buying only from licensed pharmacies and drugstores. 

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Common ailments during the rainy season

When asked about the possible illnesses that the rainy season may bring, Dr. Olivé mentioned common colds, pneumonia and flu. He advised the public to practice basic hygiene and clean food preparation to avoid being afflicted by them. (Excalibur News)  

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Bulacan media representatives guest panelists at The Makati Business Forum

The management and staff of the Nationalist, a Bulacan-based publication, joined the Forum  in full force. They were Michael N. Balaguer, editor-in-chief, Jasper D. Tan, managing editor, Jane Olvina, advertising manager and Eduardo L. Pangilinan, marketing manager. They also represent the officers and members of the Bulacan Chapter of the Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA).

This is in line with Excalibur's desire to broaden its reach by inviting community publications  to serve as its network of provincial media outlets. Provincial publishers and editors, as well as broadcast journalists, are  being invited as guest panelists every week.  

According to Balaguer, the Nationalist is also being read by Bulakeños abroad, particularly in the United Kingom. (Excalibur News)