The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) commended the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for seizing counterfeit medicines and health devices worth P28 million under its “Oplan Katharos” initiative as of September 2024.
Counterfeit drugs made up the majority of the haul at P21.9 million, followed by food products at P5.2 million, cosmetics and household substances at over P711,000 and health devices at more than P142,000.
Launched in November 2023, “Oplan Katharos” aims to detect, seize, store and responsibly dispose of counterfeit and non-compliant health products.
“Each seizure represents a victory in our mission to ensure that only genuine and safe products are traded in the Philippine market,” said IPOPHL director-general Rowell Barba, noting the importance of the operations in ensuring consumer safety and upholding intellectual property rights.
FDA director general Samuel Zacate emphasized the agency’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in the production of fake medicines.
