The Bureau of Customs-Port of NAIA (BOC-NAIA) has intercepted Ivermectin and other undeclared regulated drugs from a shipment imported by Finstad Inc. from New Delhi, India.
The shipment was declared to contain "food supplements, multivitamins and multi-mineral capsules".
According to the BOC examiner at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the undeclared items included 20,000 capsules of Ivermectin reportedly concealed in the inner portion of the shipment.
The drug, which is being treated by a growing number of people as a "cure" for the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was found covered by other regulated items.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director Jesusa Joyce N. Cirunay of the Center for Drug Regulation and Research, said in a reply letter to BOC that "at present, the drug is under compassionate use in specialized institutions authorized by FDA through the issuance of compassionate special permit (CSP)." "In case Ivermectin has been granted authorization, a valid license to operate (LTO) as drug importer and emergency use authorization (EUA) or certificate of product registration (CPR) shall be presented," Cirunay added.
BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero said that while the agency remains committed to expedite the processing and release of COVID vaccines, drugs, and other medical supplies, it will also be vigilant in its task to curb all attempts to smuggle in unregistered, undeclared and/or misdeclared goods without the necessary clearance and permits from FDA.