The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), successfully gathered 175 participants for a crucial forum addressing the growing threat of counterfeit medicines. The event took place on November 17, 2025, at the JV Ayala Hall within the City Hall Complex in Tagum City.
National Campaign Against Fake Drugs
This significant gathering was organized as part of the National Consciousness Week Against Counterfeit Medicines. The forum carried the powerful theme: "Inform to Reform: Multisector Collaboration Towards Eradicating Counterfeit Medicine — One Nation, One Fight, Avoid Fake Medicines!"
The activity directly supports Presidential Proclamation No. 2082 and Republic Act No. 8203, also known as the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs, demonstrating the government's strong commitment to protecting public health from dangerous pharmaceutical products.
Critical Information Shared with Stakeholders
During the forum, participants received vital education about the potential harmful effects that counterfeit medicines can have on the human body. Health authorities provided clear guidance on important indicators that consumers should look for when purchasing medicines, helping them distinguish between genuine and fake products.
DTQAL Chief Laboratory Head June Leo T. Donalvo, RMT, delivered a crucial reminder to all attendees, emphasizing that medicines should only be purchased from registered and licensed pharmacies to ensure they are FDA-approved and safe for consumption.
Sustaining Government Action and Public Awareness
This annual forum against counterfeit medicines serves multiple important purposes: it raises public awareness about the dangers of fake drugs, strengthens collaboration among various sectors including national line agencies, hospitals, and pharmacies, and sustains government action—particularly by the Local Government of Tagum—to protect community health.
The event successfully brought together diverse stakeholders from across the healthcare sector, creating a unified front in the ongoing battle against counterfeit medicines that threaten Filipino consumers.
