Complacent

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traditionally operates under the radar.

- ALEX MAGNO

The science-based agency, however, plays a vital frontline role in protecting the public from unscrupulous vendors selling substandard products.

Suddenly, the FDA is in the spotlight. Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on health and demography, filed Resolution 194 seeking an investigation into reports unregulated, unregistered and potentially dangerous health products and herbal supplements proliferate, especially in online channels. Some of these products were found to contain substances such as amphetamine, linked to kidney, heart and neurological complications.

Sen. Hontiveros wants to hold manufacturers, importers and distributors of such products accountable under the provisions of the Food and Drug Administration Act (RA 9711). She claims people behind these questionable products exploit regulatory gaps to make unverified claims. They prey on vulnerable consumers searching for cheaper alternatives to standard medicines.

The issue, it appears, resonates with the larger public. The flurry of reactions in social media attests to this.

There is some urgency here as well. The largely unregulated products passing off as “natural” health supplements have started to exact a social cost. It appears the FDA has been less than vigilant in testing the claims of these products or in checking the adequacy of their manufacturing processes.

Most of these products are being marketed through social media, seemingly beyond the attentiveness of the main regulatory agency responsible for verifying their safety. This suggests a serious inadequacy in our regulatory setup. It likewise underscores strong public interest in issues relating to health.