MPD busts syndicate selling expired medicines to consumers

02/12/2009

The Manila Police District (MPD) has seized some P1 million worth of expired medicines being sold to the public during a raid in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Police identified the arrested suspect as Romulo Quinonez alias Mulong, 56, married, and resident of 1725 Tayuman St., Sta. Cruz.

The raid was conducted by operatives of the District Police Intelligence Operations Unit (DPIOU) at 5:30 p.m. the other day inside the house of Quinonez.

PO2 Manuel Pimentel of the DPIOU said prior to the raid, surveillance of the suspect’s house was conducted following reports that a syndicate is engaged in the selling of expired medicines.

Reports also said the expired medicines are brought to provinces to be sold to unsuspecting consumers.

After conducting a series of test buys, the operatives conducted the raid on the place.

Several boxes containing expired medicines worth more than P1 million were seized from the suspect’s house.

Reports said confiscated were expired medicines for cough, heart illness, cholesterol, high blood, sexually-transmitted disease, diabetes, rheumatism, among other medicines.

Pimentel said a certain Ruben Mallari would provide Quinonez with expired medicines to be stored in the latter’s house.

“They would replace the labels to make them appear that the medicines have expiry date of 2010 or 2011,” the investigator said.

The expired medicines will be transported to nearby provinces, including Pampanga, Dagupan, Nueva Ecija, Isabela and Pangasinan, to be sold to unsuspecting consumers.

“Among those confiscated are Cefalexin, Nubrex, Thyrohex, Ceprofloxacin, Ambroxol, Co-Amoxiclav, Pamotidine, Cozaar, Norvasc. Actos, Lipitor, Lyrica, Vidastat, Vitamin E, Lenofloxalin and Viagra,” Pimentel said.

Meanwhile, MPD director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, ordered his men to intensify surveillance and intelligence information gathering and go after the syndicates engaged in this illegal activity and prevent expired medicines from reaching the market.

Rosales also coordinated with the Department of Health on the matter to ensure the safety of the consumers.

The official also warned the public to be cautious in buying medicines by checking their expiration dates. Pat C. Santos

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