Para±aque City: Two Chinese nationals were arrested for the illegal practice of medicine in Para±aque City, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III stated that the operatives apprehended the foreigners, identified as Huan and Jian, at the Imperial Plaza Residence in Barangay Tambo on Tuesday. They were arrested 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 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.’ The authorities confiscated 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 from the suspects.

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

Torre highlighted the government’s policy to adopt, support, establish, institutionalize, improve, and maintain structures, processes, mechanisms, and initiatives designed to protect and promote the right to health of the Filipino people. He stressed the importance of establishing and maintaining an effective health products regulatory system.

Torre further stated, ‘It is also the policy of the State to ensure a 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.’