MAKATI CITY, Philippines — In a major blow to the black market for life-saving pharmaceuticals, authorities arrested four individuals on Friday, April 10, 2026, for the alleged sale of counterfeit anti-cancer medications valued at approximately P102 million.
The operation, led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit, took place at a hotel in Makati City following a tip-off from a Singapore-based pharmaceutical firm.
The coordinated raid resulted in the seizure of 400 vials of suspected counterfeit drugs.
- Targeted Medication: The confiscated vials were labeled as Keytruda, a widely used immunotherapy drug for various types of cancer.
- Confirmation of Fraud: Authorized representatives from the affected pharmaceutical company inspected the stash and confirmed that all 400 vials were “all fake and counterfeited.”
- The Suspects: Identified only by their aliases—“Lucia,” “Maria,” “Dina,” and “Usman”—the four suspects were caught in possession of the items and failed to present any authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The investigation revealed a massive discrepancy between the black market price and the authentic cost of the medication, which often lures desperate patients:
- Authentic Price: A single vial of genuine Keytruda typically retails for P135,000 to P200,000 in licensed pharmacies.
- Black Market Price: The counterfeiters were reportedly selling the fake vials for as low as P7,500 each.
CIDG Director PMGen. Robert Morico II emphasized that the trade of fake life-saving medicine is not a simple property or fraud crime.
- “Direct Endangerment”: Morico characterized the operation as a “direct endangerment to human life,” noting that patients relying on these medications are already in a vulnerable state.
- Public Health Risk: The CIDG warned that using unregistered or counterfeit anti-cancer drugs is a grave violation of safety regulations and can lead to immediate medical complications or the failure of essential treatment.
The suspects are facing charges for violations of the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs and the Food and Drug Administration Act. Authorities are currently tracing the source of the fake medications to determine if a larger manufacturing ring is operating within the country or smuggling the goods from abroad.