Senator slams FDA over sale of illicit productsMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo has criticized the Food and Drug Administration for its lack of concrete action amid the widespread sale of illegal, counterfeit and unregistered health products online and in physical stores. The FDA had issued an advisory against these products in 2013, yet their sale remains rampant. As for penalties imposed on unauthorized sellers of medicines, Tulfo noted that fines could reach only up to P50,000 with no imprisonment. Fake productsHontiveros has urged the FDA and online platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Shopee and Lazada, to take down fake health and beauty products. The senator said she filed a Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Products Prevention bill to address the risks faced by Filipinos who purchase health and beauty products online.

Source: Philippine Star January 27, 2026 17:01 UTC