Raid vs Belo clinic 'scared', 'confused' staff, management says

MANILA, Philippines — The Belo Medical Group (BMG) on Thursday denied the Food and Drug Administration’s claims that its employees refused to allow the administration’s agents to inspect its clinic and pharmacy in Muntinlupa City.

In a statement, the medical group countered FDA and defended its employees, saying they were confused and scared by the surveillance held last Friday.

“The manner in which the surveillance of our Alabang clinic was conducted confused and scared our personnel because the FDA personnel were accompanied by policemen and some refused to show their valid IDs upon request,” BMG's press statement read.

“Also, our lawyer attempted to speak with the leader of the policemen through the phone to clarify matters. However, the head of the operation refused to speak with our lawyer on the phone,” it added.

On Wednesday, the FDA said BMG’s personnel are now facing administrative and criminal charges after it conducted surveillance and test-buy operations in its pharmacy and clinic. The employees allegedly refused to permit its agents from conducting the operations.

Reports said FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno said the medical group’s pharmacy is under the FDA’s jurisdiction and that they have legal authority to inspect it “in reasonable hours and manner.” She added that the clinic’s personnel can be cited for contempt or obstruction of justice for their refusal.

Aside from the charges against personnel, the FDA also asked the group to stop selling 11 of its “unregistered” skin care product.

The following cosmetic and drug products were identified by the FDA as “unregistered.”

• Belo Prescriptives Acne Astringent
• Belo Prescriptives Belo White
• Belo Prescriptives DLC Peeling Creme
• Belo Prescriptives Keralyt 2 Cream
• Belo Illuminating Cream Alpha Arbutin+Liquorice
• MD Glycogent Exfoliation Accelerator 10% concentration
• ZO Medical by Zein Obagi
• ZO Medical by Zein Obagi MD Cebatrol
• ZO Medical by Zein Obagi Foamacleanse Gentle Foaming Cleanser for all types
• ZO Medical by Zein Obagi Oclipse Sunscreen/Primer SPF 30 Protection
• ZO Medical by Zein ObagiMD Melamix Skin Lightener & Blending Creme Hydroquinone USP 4%
• ZO Medical by Zein Obagi MD Melanin Skin Bleaching & Correcting Creme Hydroquinone USP 4%

For its part, the medical group said the locally sold ZO products have been previously registered and complied with applications for renewal of the registration which is currently pending with the FDA.

“We also want to emphasize that the ZO products in question are approved by the US FDA. They have been long available in the US market and have been carefully studied and have been proven to be safe and effective,” BMG added.

The medical group also clarified that the FDA’s surveillance of its clinic did not come from any complaint of any harm or injury from the use of any of its products.

“The issues raised by FDA in the course of the surveillance pertained to registration issues some of our products,” it explained.

BMG said it is willing to pull out the products if the FDA calls for it. It vowed to sort all the documentary requirements with the FDA.

The management said it is finalizing its answer to the order against their Alabang clinic.