Authorities raided and shut two Chinese-owned illegal clinics in Parañaque City last night for allegedly selling medicines that purportedly treated the coronavirus.
First to be raided by the police was a Baclaran Village clinic that was located above a milk tea shop. Bearing the sign “Chinese Hospital,” the facility was decked with IV drip stands and sold medicines for three weeks that were neither approved nor checked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), reports ABS-CBN News.
Based on English translations of the Chinese labels, most of the drugs were injectables meant to treat HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and dengue, Remate reports. Herbal supplements that treated colds, fever, cough, and sore throat, along with non-prescription drugs for flu and other respiratory illnesses were also sold.
“They have all kinds of medicines. I was amazed because most of the medicines I saw were injectables. There were a few oral meds, but there were a lot of IV [intravenous] fluids,” Dr. Olga Virtucio of the Parañaque City Health Office told CNN Philippines.
“There are beds, but not enough to be called a hospital. It’s more of a clinic,” she added.
Ayon sa pamunuan ng Barangay Baclaran, walang permit ang clinic na may nakasulat sa labas na “Chinese Hospital” pic.twitter.com/TPvkHhnNHN
— Jekki Pascual (@jekkipascual) April 27, 2020
Authorities said they raided the facility after an unidentified informant told them that several Chinese patients visited the clinic to seek a cure for COVID-19.
After the local government shut the clinic, authorities had found a second clinic operated by a Chinese man who claimed to be a licensed medical doctor back in his home country. The clinic was similarly treating patients for the coronavirus, according to the police.
Read: Doctor arrested for allegedly profiteering off thermal scanners
The police are still investigating both clinics and Mayor Edwin Olivarez has asked the Bureau of Immigration to deport the Chinese nationals.
The owners will be charged for violating quarantine laws, medical regulations, and for operating without permits. The seized medicines will be turned over to the FDA for testing.
There is no known cure or vaccine for COVID-19. Experts have estimated that it will take about 18 months to create a reliable vaccine.
