THE consumer-customer appeared to be duped in using or buying herbal as food supplements for health and dietary purposes as advertised in the airplanes and sold in the market.
“As a physician, I observed that consumers were misled to use dietary or herbal supplements and stopped using physician’s prescribed medicine,” Provincial Board Member Elpidio Bonita a medical doctor in profession said in his privilege speech during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session on March 26, 2024.
Some of those made no mention that the food supplements are not therapeutic or not curative in certain disease. Such information about the said food supplements must be disclosed that they’re not medicines as mandated by law.
He argued that, “In my medical school days and recent practice, it’s been taught that no outright remedies to treat Diabetes and Arthritis, but to avoid and contain it, and here we are, heard the opposite as expressed in the testimonies.”
He cited the following information. “G DETOX Mensahe alang sa maayong panglawas! Ako si Mario Flores, usa ka Fire Officer sa Argao Fire Station, Lamacan, Cebu. Duna ako’y gihambing balatian- hypertension, arthritis, insomnia ug irregular bowel movement. Pagkadungug nako na ang G Detox Plus mowagtang og toxin sa lawas nga maoy hinungdan sa akong mga balatian, akong gisuwayan. Lima pa lang ka adlaw, akong namatikdan ang epekto nasulbad ang tanan nakong mga balatian. Mo-detoxify gyud ang G Detox Plus. G Detox Plus herbal capsule ang pinakakusogggg… Mapalit sa Rose Pharmacy, Majesty Pharmacy, Queen’s Pharmacy, Diding’s Pharmacy ug sa ubang mga botika.”
“GABON Pahibalo sa tanan ang Gabon nga atong ginalaga og ginahampol gihimo nang capsule. Para mas epektibo, gisagulan kini og luy-ang dilaw ug mangosteen. Tulo ka klasing herbal nga gituyo pagsagul sa Gabon para mas epektibo sa mga sakit sama sa high blood, kidney problem, diabetes, taas og cholesterol, ulcer, cancer, ubo, ug uban pang mga sakit. Atong paminawon ang naayo human miinom sa Gabon herbal capsule og naghaplas sa Gabon haplas oil. Ako si Alvin, usa ka mekaniko naglisud kog pangihi sa una tungod kay duna koy sakit sa kidney ug high blood. Sa pagkadungog nako sa radyo bahin sa Gabon herbal capsule, nipalit ko og akong gisulayan. Pila ka adlaw nabati nako ang kausaban ug nawagtang ang akong sakit ug di na ko maglisud og pangihi. Salamat sa Gabon herbal capsule. Ang Gabon herbal capsule ug Gabon haplas oil mapalit sa tanang botika.
“XANTHONE Daghan na ang nituo nga naayo sa Xanthone Plus herbal capsule. Si Pia Sasil Jumawan, 53. Kaning akong tonsil 1976 pa ni sya nagsugod. Dili na man siya maayo og antibiotic mao nga didto na ko paingon sa Xanthone Plus. Ok na ko. Kana sa una gyud di ko katulon, sir, dili monganga akong ba-ba. Ja nagpasalamat pud ko ni Lord Jesus nga iyang gi-ayo pud ning akong sakit inubanan sa Xanthone Plus. Kamo sad, mag Xanthone Plus herbal capsule na!”
“So, there have been regulations stipulated in Republic Act No. 7394, or the “Consumer Act of the Philippines”, DOH Administrative Order No. 2010 – 0008 etcetera. But still, this rampant disregard may possibly mislead consumers and eventually ill health. With this regard, we seek remedy in aid of legislation to help protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness,” he said.
“The use of the message or phrase, ‘No Approved Therapeutic Claim’ shall no longer be allowed in any form of advertisement, promotion and/or sponsorship activities or materials concerning food/dietary supplements,” DOH earlier said. The DOH order, audio advertisements or promotions should carry the standard message in Filipino and that it shall be “clearly and audibly voiced over, without being cut off in the last line of the advertisement or promotions regardless of its duration.”
The FDA has monitored many food supplements being promoted online and in social network sites as alternative remedies for a wide range of diseases such as cancer, kidney and cardiovascular illnesses, among others.
This concern was referred to the joint committees on health and trade and industry. (rvo)
