From cancer cures to herbal remedies, health claims can mislead consumers into replacing medical care with products that have not been proven to treat their illnesses.
DAVAO CITY (November 9) — A bottle of food supplement may promise better health, but when its seller claims it can cure cancer, glaucoma or other serious illnesses, consumers have reason to be cautious.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Mindanao East Cluster is warning the public against confusing food supplements with medicines, as misleading health claims and word-of-mouth recommendations continue to influence what people buy and take for their ailments.
The distinction is critical: products intended to supplement the diet are not automatically treatments for disease, and claims of curing specific illnesses require scientific evidence and regulatory approval as medicines.
Eba Marie Antonette W. Inis, FDA Mindanao East Cluster officer-in-charge director, raised the concern during the Isyu Karon Monthly Media Forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, stressing that consumers should not assume a product is safe or effective simply because it is marketed as beneficial to health.
“With our food supplements, we have to practice caution,” Inis said.
“When you say a product can cure an illness, it should be classified as a drug or medicine,” she added.
When marketing replaces medical advice
The danger, Inis said, is not limited to exaggerated advertisements. It also comes from the informal networks through which health advice spreads.
Consumers often trust neighbors, friends and acquaintances who recommend supplements based on personal experiences, sometimes treating claims of improvement as proof that a product can cure a particular illness.
“Sometimes, people believe their neighbors more than their doctors,” she said.
Such practices can encourage unnecessary supplement use, expose consumers to possible adverse reactions and, more seriously, delay proper diagnosis and treatment.
Financial hardship makes the problem more complicated. Some people avoid medical consultations because they cannot afford them, turning instead to products recommended by people they know.
For struggling households, money spent on unverified remedies can mean less money for proper medical assessment and treatment.
A medicine must prove it works—and is safe
Inis explained that medicines undergo rigorous scientific evaluation before they can be approved for public use.
Drug development can take at least 10 years, she said, with clinical trials conducted in several phases to establish a product’s effectiveness and safety.
Even promising drug candidates can fail when testing reveals toxicity or other safety concerns.
“Not everything that is effective is good. Not everything that is effective is safe,” she emphasized.
She cited Lagundi, Sambong and Oregano as examples of herbal products with recognized medicinal uses and identified active compounds. Lagundi is used for cough and asthma symptoms, Sambong for conditions related to kidney stone management, and Oregano for cough-related symptoms.
These examples, she explained, have undergone scientific evaluation of their medicinal properties and uses, distinguishing them from ordinary food supplements.
However, consumers must still check the classification and registration of specific products rather than assume that every preparation containing these herbs has been approved for medicinal use.
Drugstores are not clinics
The FDA official also called on community pharmacies to exercise responsibility when advising customers.
Pharmacies have an important role in providing information about products, but they should not replace doctors in diagnosing illnesses or determining appropriate treatment.
Consumers experiencing unwanted reactions after taking medicines or supplements should report these to the FDA, she said.
Inis also encouraged residents to use government health services, including rural health centers, where medicines and health professionals have become more accessible.
“Instead of taking products recommended by friends, make an effort to visit your health center,” she advised.
The real cost of false promises
The FDA warning points to a broader public health concern: when health decisions are driven by testimonials, aggressive marketing and unverified claims, consumers may end up paying for products that cannot deliver what they promise.
For families already struggling with medical expenses, the consequences can go beyond wasted money. Delayed consultations can mean delayed detection, inappropriate self-medication and worsening illnesses.
The responsibility does not rest on consumers alone. Manufacturers and sellers must ensure that product claims comply with FDA regulations. Pharmacies must provide responsible guidance, while health authorities must make reliable information and affordable medical services accessible to communities.
The message is straightforward: a supplement is not a cure, a testimonial is not clinical evidence, and a promise on a product label is not a substitute for a doctor’s diagnosis.
For consumers, the first step toward protecting their health may be knowing the difference before spending money on the next bottle promising a cure.
