Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
Update Date: "2011/03/29 04:11" [Liberty Times Reporters Wang Rongxiang and Yang Qingqing / Kaohsiung Report]
Renshuo Industrial Co., Ltd., which holds the agency rights for Canadian AMO artificial intraocular lenses and vitreous bodies approved by the Department of Health, is suspected of importing lower-priced, unapproved products from India since 2007, repackaging them into self-printed Canadian packaging, and selling them. It is estimated that over 70 medical institutions, primarily small and medium-sized hospitals or private clinics in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung region, were deceived. Investigators are currently trying to determine the number of patients implanted with the Indian lenses, but no adverse cases have been reported so far.
Agents from the Kaohsiung Investigation Office stated that due to the small size (smaller than a one-dollar coin) and transparent nature of the lenses and vitreous bodies, even ophthalmologists find it difficult to distinguish between different brands. Fortunately, a doctor noticed Indian markings on the lens accessories and documentation, raising suspicions and leading to the exposure of the entire incident. During interrogation, the Lai-named agent admitted to the illegal activity, having profited over NT$10 million in three years. After questioning, he was released on NT$50,000 bail, and the case is being expanded for investigation under violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and fraud charges.
**12,000 Pieces Seized**
Kaohsiung prosecutors, police, and investigators, along with health bureau personnel, recently raided Renshuo Industrial Co., Ltd., seizing over 12,000 Indian-made lenses and vitreous bodies from the company’s warehouse. If sold at Canadian prices, these could have fetched over NT$30 million.
The Kaohsiung Investigation Office provided an example: the company purchased Indian-made hard intraocular lenses for about NT$180 (US$6) per piece but sold them at the Canadian market price of NT$700, earning a NT$520 markup. Compared to directly importing Canadian lenses at NT$450 (US$15) per piece, the company made an extra NT$270 in profit per lens.
For soft lenses, the Indian-made imports cost about NT$600 (US$20) per piece but were sold at the Canadian market price of NT$1,600, yielding a NT$1,000 markup. Compared to directly importing Canadian lenses at NT$900 (US$30) per piece, the company made an additional NT$300 profit per lens.
The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau emphasized that the company clearly violated Article 84 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, constituting a criminal offense. Current information suggests that medical institutions were unaware of the substitution, and preliminary assessments indicate no collusion between the institutions and the medical equipment supplier.
The bureau further stated that if the Canadian brand (AMO) artificial lenses and vitreous bodies approved by the Department of Health had allowed the Taiwanese agent to substitute Indian-made lenses—and if prior notification had been submitted to the Department—the Canadian headquarters should have verified the quality of the Indian products. However, the company has failed to provide any supporting documentation, leading health authorities to view the situation as serious.
As for the differences between Indian and Canadian products and how to distinguish them, investigators admitted that even ophthalmologists would struggle to tell them apart with the naked eye. The composition of the Indian products requires further laboratory testing by health authorities to confirm compliance with domestic standards.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 110329/ 78/ 2ov7l. html
Fake Intraocular Lenses Scam Affects over 70 Hospitals in Taiwan
Renshuo Industrial Co., Ltd., which holds the agency rights for Canadian AMO artificial intraocular lenses and vitreous bodies approved by the Department of Health, is suspected of importing lower-priced, unapproved products from India since 2007, repackaging them into self-printed Canadian packaging, and selling them. It is estimated that over 70 medical institutions, primarily small and medium-sized hospitals or private clinics in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung region, were deceived. Investigators are currently trying to determine the number of patients implanted with the Indian lenses, but no adverse cases have been reported so far.
Agents from the Kaohsiung Investigation Office stated that due to the small size (smaller than a one-dollar coin) and transparent nature of the lenses and vitreous bodies, even ophthalmologists find it difficult to distinguish between different brands. Fortunately, a doctor noticed Indian markings on the lens accessories and documentation, raising suspicions and leading to the exposure of the entire incident. During interrogation, the Lai-named agent admitted to the illegal activity, having profited over NT$10 million in three years. After questioning, he was released on NT$50,000 bail, and the case is being expanded for investigation under violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and fraud charges.
**12,000 Pieces Seized**
Kaohsiung prosecutors, police, and investigators, along with health bureau personnel, recently raided Renshuo Industrial Co., Ltd., seizing over 12,000 Indian-made lenses and vitreous bodies from the company’s warehouse. If sold at Canadian prices, these could have fetched over NT$30 million.
The Kaohsiung Investigation Office provided an example: the company purchased Indian-made hard intraocular lenses for about NT$180 (US$6) per piece but sold them at the Canadian market price of NT$700, earning a NT$520 markup. Compared to directly importing Canadian lenses at NT$450 (US$15) per piece, the company made an extra NT$270 in profit per lens.
For soft lenses, the Indian-made imports cost about NT$600 (US$20) per piece but were sold at the Canadian market price of NT$1,600, yielding a NT$1,000 markup. Compared to directly importing Canadian lenses at NT$900 (US$30) per piece, the company made an additional NT$300 profit per lens.
The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau emphasized that the company clearly violated Article 84 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, constituting a criminal offense. Current information suggests that medical institutions were unaware of the substitution, and preliminary assessments indicate no collusion between the institutions and the medical equipment supplier.
The bureau further stated that if the Canadian brand (AMO) artificial lenses and vitreous bodies approved by the Department of Health had allowed the Taiwanese agent to substitute Indian-made lenses—and if prior notification had been submitted to the Department—the Canadian headquarters should have verified the quality of the Indian products. However, the company has failed to provide any supporting documentation, leading health authorities to view the situation as serious.
As for the differences between Indian and Canadian products and how to distinguish them, investigators admitted that even ophthalmologists would struggle to tell them apart with the naked eye. The composition of the Indian products requires further laboratory testing by health authorities to confirm compliance with domestic standards.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 110329/ 78/ 2ov7l. html