4 nabbed for illegal sale of Ivermectin, other meds
FOUR persons engaged in the unauthorized sale and distribution of pharmaceutical products including Ivermectin tablets being passed off as a sure anti-COVID-19 medicine were arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) this week, PNP-CIDG director Major General Albert Ignatius D. Ferro said Friday.
The official said the suspects were apprehended following separate operations in Quezon and Parañaque cities and in Quezon province conducted by members of the CIDG Regional Field Unit 4-A.
Ferro identified the suspects as Sunny Firmeza Jr., 36; Rhona Marie Castillo, 30; Junessa Capuno, 32; and Arlene Solina, 35.
Recovered from the possession of the accused were around P219,000 worth of pharmaceutical products that they were distributing without authority from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
These include 66 bottles containing Ivermectin 15mg tablets, 91 pieces of Amoxicillin Axmel 500mg, 33 pieces of Amoxicillin Trihydrate Vhellox 500mg, 15 pieces of Amoxicillin Trihydrate and Axmel, and 15 pieces of Cefalexin Exel 500mg.
Ferro said that marked money paid to the four by undercover officers were also recovered. A Ford Focus with plate No. ARA 8069 was impounded by the CIDG.
Firmeza and Castillo were arrested in a sting at SM North EDSA while Capuno was arrested inside 4341 A. Clipper Avenue in Bayview, Bgy. Tambo, Parañaque City.
Solina was apprehended in Angustias, Zone 4, Tayabas City in Quezon.
Ferro said the accused were charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10918 or the Philippine Pharmacy Act. Firmeza, Castillo and Capuno were also slapped with violation of RA 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.
“Sa ganitong panahon na kung saan ang ating mga kababayan ay naghahanap ng solusyon upang proteksyunan ang kanilang sarili at pamilya, marami ring mga indibidwal o grupo ang nananamantala rito. Selling or dispensation of any pharmaceutical products especially those unregistered or without proper authority from FDA or any governing government agency is illegal and punishable by law,” Ferro said in a statement.
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