SOME, if not most, of food or dietary supplements or herbal advertised and paid for radio or TVs or even online do not comply, or are not compliant, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protocols.
Dr. Fruserma Uy, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Health Office bared this during the joint meeting of trade and health committees tackling the proliferation of these no-FDA sanction advertisement.
This revelation is now the focus of investigation in aid of legislation of health and trade committee chaired by Board Member Nick Besas along with BM Dr. Romulo Cepedoza.
But for BM Dr. Elpidio Bonita said that what come out in the media in (food supplement ads) is a misleading information. “As a physician, I observed that consumers were misled to use dietary or herbal supplements and stopped using physician’s prescribed medicine.”
Bonita said that he brought this up to the attention of his colleagues in a bid “to protect and promote the right of the people and instill health consciousness among them,” as section15, article II of the Philippine Constitution provides.
The join committee meeting also uncovered that these food supplements may have FDA-approved, but they did not “say it” that it’s sanctioned by FDA in ads.
Bonita, in his privilege speech earlier, said that such public presentation in a form of ads becoming questionable and deviated on its objective of promoting and protecting the consumers’ health and welfare.
He cited the following, like “G DETOX,” “GABON,” and “XANTHONE.” He said that each food supplement was carried out in ads form in radios thru testimonies of those who claimed they’re healed by using those supplements.
“In my medical school days and recent practice, it’s been taught that no outright remedies to treat diabetes and arthritis but to no avoid and contain it, and here we are. Heard the opposite as expressed in the testimonies.”
The alleged no FDA-sanction in food supplementary ads, “this rampant disregard may possibly misled the consumers and eventually ill health.”
FDA has issued Memorandum Circular No. 215-003 that reiterates of the FDA requirement for the change in the use of message/phrase, “No Approved Therapeutic Claim” and to “Mahalagang Paalaala” Ang (name of the product) Ay Hindi Gamot at Hindi Dapat Gamiting Panggamot Sa Anumang Uri ng Sakit.”
This must be used in all advertisements, promotional, and/or sponsorship activities or materials concerning food dietary supplements, the circular pointed out.
Besas said that the joint committee may call another round of meeting to exhaust and gather more information as no FDA representative was present during the said meeting. (rvo)
