MANILA – Two Chinese nationals were arrested for the illegal practice of medicine in Parañaque City, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the operatives arrested the foreigners, identified as Huan and Jian, at the Imperial Plaza Residence in Barangay Tambo on Tuesday for violations of Republic Act (RA) 3720, as Amended by RA 9711 (The Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009) and RA 2382 (The Medical Act of 1959).

The suspects have also been accused of engaging in the “manufacture, sale, offering for sale or transfer of any food, drug, device or cosmetic that is adulterated or misbranded.”

Confiscated from the suspects were numerous boxes of assorted medicines and drugs, medical supplies and equipment, infusion alarm, surgical instruments, one laptop used for the Ultrasound Diagnostic System, notebooks of medical procedures, and Chinese prescription receipts.

The foreigners failed to provide the licenses and permits required to dispense medical products, operate a medical clinic, or practice medicine in the country.

Torre emphasized that it is the policy of the government to adopt, support, establish, institutionalize, improve and maintain structures, processes, mechanisms and initiatives that are aimed, directed and designed to protect and promote the right to health of the Filipino people; and help establish and maintain an effective health products regulatory system.

“It is also the policy of the State to ensure safe and good quality supply of food, drug and cosmetic, and to regulate the production, sale, and traffic of the same to protect the health of the people,” Torre said. (PNA)