FDA Issues Cease and Desist Order vs Sanofi

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Summons with Cease and Desist Order against pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur Inc. for airing television and radio advertisements of its dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia. The airing of the advertisement is in violation of Administrative Order No. 65 s. 1989, prohibiting advertisement in any form of prescription or ethical drug.

The FDA's Center for Drug Regulation and Research (CDRR) has monitored the airing of the advertising materials on dengue vaccination. It has also reported the unauthorized promotion of dengue vaccine in the malls.

In the Summons issued by FDA last December 13, 2016, Sanofi was directed to cease and desist from disseminating advertisements for Dengvaxia in any form of mass or social media. Sanofi was also directed to stop activities promoting and marketing the vaccine. However, as of December 15, 2016, the company has failed to comply with FDA’s directive to take down the said advertisements.

"Since Sanofi has not complied, we have issued summons directing them to cease and desist from airing the advertisements and Show Cause why they should not be penalized for violating the law." FDA Director General Nela Charade G. Puno said.

Puno added that to ensure immediate compliance, "the FDA already sent letters to TV and Radio Stations directing them not to air the said unauthorized ads."

Puno also said the FDA will monitor compliance by Sanofi and the stations.

"We are looking forward to their cooperation in our mandate to ensure that the public is provided only with the correct information on the food, drugs, cosmetics, and health devices that they use,” Puno pointed out.

MMFF ExeCom Withdraws FPJ Memorial Award of Oro Due to Death of Dog

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Above is a screenshot of the poor dog that was killed in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie "ORO". The dog was put in a sack, beaten to death, skinned and gutted. Are the good reviews and awards the film got worth it at the cost of an an innocent creature's life?

ORO truly boasts of an excellent ensemble of actors with superb acting skills! Truly world class, no doubt! Surely no one will dare question all the recognition and citation they are getting for they are all indeed well-deserved. These things make us proud that we are Filipinos. But I'd be bold and daring and go ahead and say the whole team stopped their advocacy right there! While the actors display stellar performance, sad to note that film making is objectionable! In the process, an innocent dog was killed. Though they claim that the dog was not slaughtered for the movie itself, they opted to show the ordeal. The fear and panic in the eyes of the dog was unbearable to watch. I tried to cover my eyes but the whimpering sounds lingered. It broke my heart and had to see the rest of the film pained and preoccupied with the unfortunate fate the dog suffered. We call on everyone who plans to see ORO. DON'T!!! An innocent life was taken. A DOG WAS KILLED!!!!"" - Ann Millendez

Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) executive committee has announced the withdrawal of Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award granted to Alvin Yapan’s “Oro” after receiving several complaints on one of its scenes.

Here is the full text of MMFF execom’s statement:

'Upon consultation with the family of the late Fernando Poe, Jr., the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Executive Committee announces the withdrawal of the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award recently granted to the film "Oro." Without making any judgment on the artistic merit of the film or cinematic depiction, the MMFF finds the present controversy on the alleged killing of a dog in the course of the filming of the movie effectively casts a doubt on the movie's ability to exemplify the human and cultural values espoused by the late Fernando Poe, Jr.'

In the film, a disturbing dog-slaughter scene has caught the attention of the viewers, which served as the basis of a formal complaint filed by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) on Monday.

However, Yapan, earlier, denied the alleged dog abuse. “Hindi po totoo na pumatay kami ng aso para lang sa pelikula. Hindi rin totoo na kinain iyong aso sa set. Sa pagkakatanda ko ibang araw shinoot iyong inuman scene doon sa mismong pagkatay ng aso. Baboy ang ginamit nila. Nasa pag edit na po iyon,” he said.

Aside from the stripped award, Oro bagged two other awards during the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal including the Best Actress for Irma Adlawan and Best Ensemble of Cast.

Six: History’s New Military Drama Series Debuts In January 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Six, the much-anticipated Navy SEAL drama on History, is set to premiere 19 January 2017, Thursdays at 10:00 pm.

The series depicts the personal and professional lives of the men of Navy SEAL Team Six, America’s elite special operations unit, as they embark on a dangerous mission to eliminate a Taliban leader in Afghanistan, which goes awry when they uncover a U.S. citizen working as a jihadist fighter with the terrorists.

The eight-episode first season, inspired by real-life combat missions of Navy SEAL Team Six, the special forces unit famous for killing Osama bin Laden, authentically portrays the world of these brave and gallant men, how they react when faced with grave danger, how they cope with life-and-death situations, and how they deal with their complicated personal lives.

In the season premiere, team leader Richard “RIP” Taggart (Walton Goggins) makes a questionable decision while on a mission. Two years later, he is captured by the West African terrorist group, Boko Haram.

Now, his former Seal Team Six brothers – led by Joe “Bear” Graves (Barry Sloan), Alex Caulder (Kyle Schmid), and Ricky “Buddha” Ortiz (Juan Pablo Raba) – have to do everything in their power to locate their former leader and attempt a daring rescue mission in the heart of enemy territory – before it’s too late.

HISTORY is available on Sky Cable Ch 67; Cable Link Ch 43; Dream Satellite Ch 30; Destiny Cable Ch 57; and Cignal Ch 125. HISTORY HD™ is available on Sky Cable Ch 165.