(From：The China Post 2013-09-28)
Certain merchants were found to be selling illegal pharmaceutical drugs under the front of legal businesses such as biotechnology companies, Chinese herbal medicine stores, shoe stores and lingerie and sex shops to innocent consumers, according to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB). In order to protect the public from buying illegal medicine, the CIB recently conducted searches at stores in Keelung City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Taichung City and Kaohsiung City. A total of six suspects were detained along with illegal drugs, raw drug-making materials and medical equipment with a total estimated value of at least NT$6 million.
The CIB said that the suspects held explanation sessions and promoted illegal medicines through other distributors. The merchants claimed that their drugs had passed verification and provided various health benefits, such as added vitality, strength enhancement and a faster metabolism. After the Food and Drug Administrations examination, the drugs were found to contain thioaildenafil, a compound potentially dangerous to the human body.
The suspects later confessed that the drugs were sold without sourcing verification or the approval of competent authorities.
The CIB said that consumers should only make purchases from certified drug stores and medical facilities, and never purchase drugs of unknown sources.
(By John Liu )