MANILA: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested an individual in Cavite City for allegedly posing as a doctor and performing invasive cosmetic procedures without a medical licence.
NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said the suspect had been operating an unauthorised clinic offering services such as Jawtox, eyebrow microblading and glutathione drips at lower prices.
Agents from the NBI's Organised and Transnational Crimes Division arrested the suspect last Thursday following an intelligence operation into the alleged illegal medical practice, Mallari said in an interview on Monday.
Mallari said the NBI conducted a series of surveillance operations before carrying out the entrapment operation to verify that the suspect was illegally practising medicine at the clinic.
Mallari noted that the Professional Regulation Commission confirmed the individual does not possess a medical licence, while the clinic does not have a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permit to operate.
The glutathione drip was also found to be unregistered with the FDA.
"It is really operating as an actual clinic; remember when I mentioned a while ago that it has no licence to operate, yet its environment creates the impression that it is a licensed and permitted clinic," he said.
Mallari added that displayed certificates are not proof that a clinic is operating legally.
"Actually, no, because certification training cannot replace the licence obtained through the board examination. They have different legal implications under our laws," he said.
The suspect is facing multiple charges, including violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Medical Act of 1959, and Section 46 of the Philippine Pharmacy Act.
Mallari reminded the public that beauty procedures and products should only be obtained from licensed medical professionals and clinics. Inquirer/ANN
