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The Bureau of Customs warned the public against fake and smuggled vaccines as well as those sold online
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Organized crime syndicates may exploit the lucrative COVID-19 vaccine market, according to an article cited by Europol and the US Department of Homeland Security
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The BOC warning comes amid Presidential Security Group members receiving the vaccines despite the drug not having authorization from the Food and Drug Administration
The Bureau of Customs warned the public against the influx of fake and smuggled COVID-19 vaccines as well as those sold online.
The agency asked the public to remain vigilant and report the presence of such vaccines, which it said could case serious health problems.
BOC cited an article released by Europol and the US Department of Homeland Security noting the possibility that organized crime syndicates may exploit the lucrative COVID-19 vaccine market. The article stated that in some countries crime groups have already tried to market fake flu vaccines.
The BOC warning comes amid reports that members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) received the vaccines in September despite the vaccines having no authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the vaccines were smuggled. Some members of the PSG are members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which is under the Department of Defense.
