By Kristine Felisse Mangunay Philippine Daily Inquirer Operatives of the Eastern Police District (EPD) raided the other day three houses in Pasig City reportedly being used as hideouts by the cohorts of a convicted drug lord, resulting in the seizure of high-powered firearms, ammunition as well as illegal drugs. The police, however, failed to arrest Aleman Boratong also known as Boy Negros, Joey Jeremiah Mamon and Acsaimen Amer who also goes by the alias of Mac-Mac. Authorities said the three were behind 70 to 80 percent of the drug trade in the city. According to the group, Boratong serves as the groups hitman and drug distributor. Amer is in charge of transacting with buyers while Mamon is responsible for the groups firearms. The three used to work for Amin Imam Boratong who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for running a shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride tiangge (flea market) in Barangay (village) Mapayapa, Pasig City. Located on a compound just half a kilometer away from city hall, the tiangge was raided by the police in February 2006. Sundays operation was carried out on V. Baltazar Street in the same barangay. Seized during the raid on three houses were ammunition for … Continue reading →

ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, applauds passage of legislation in the Maryland State Senate to create a process that will make newly developed biosimilar medications accessible in a safe and transparent manner for state residents. The legislation still has to pass hurdles in the House and be signed by the Governor to become law. "Biosimilar drugs are now being used in Europe and will soon be authorized for patient use in this country," explained MedChi CEO Gene Ransom. "Maryland is being proactive in establishing a process by which patients have access to these affordable drugs with provisions to protect their safety." The committee action fulfills the state's responsibilities under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA empowers states to set the standards by which biosimilars -- reproductions of brand-name biologic medications -- can be substituted for the innovator product. It is expected that biosimilars will be reaching pharmacies as early as 2014. The State Senate measure, introduced by Sen. Joan Carter Conway, states that biosimilars can only be substituted if the Food and Drug Administration has certified the drugs as interchangeable with the original, brand-name biologic. This standard is made necessary by … Continue reading →