Food and Drug Administration

FDA Advisory on Maleic Acid

BAN ON FOOD PRODUCTS CONTAMINATED WITH MALEIC ACID

Several food products from Taiwan contaminated with maleic acid were tested and reported by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore. The Taiwan government has taken action against the food manufacturers and suspended the sale and distribution of maleic acid-contaminated products.

FDA Advisory No. 2013-012

PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING AGAINST RECEIVING UNAPPROVED STEM CELL PREPARATIONS IN NON-HEALTH FACILITIES

The FDA has been receiving complaints from the public and health professionals that stem cell therapies are conducted in non-health facilities, such as hotel rooms.

The public is warned against receiving stem cell preparations and therapies without prior regulatory applications and approval from the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health.  The following stem cell preparations require FDA approval: a) genetically altered human adult and umbilical cord stem cells, b) adipose or fat cells derived human stem cell, c) human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products that are subjected to genetic manipulation, and d) live animal embryonic, fetal, or adult stem cells in parenteral form for human administration.  The public is further warned that FDA-DOH does not allow the creation, importation, promotion, marketing and use of human embryos, human embryonic stem cells and their derivatives, aborted human fetal stem cells and their derivatives for human treatment and research, as well as plant parts labeled as stem cells.

FDA Advisory No. 2013-011

Ensuring Access of Filipino People to Safe, Effective and Affordable Essential Medicines and the Pharmacy Law of the Philippines

The FDA is concerned over the statement made by the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA) and the Drugstores Association of the Philippines (DAP) last 13 April 2013 that warned the public over drugstores that employ "ghost pharmacists", referring to absentee registered pharmacists employed by unscrupulous drugstore owners. The statement made by PPhA EVP, Dr. Yolanda Robles, that around 70% of the owners in the CAMANAVA area have no pharmacists is alarming. The FDA would like to assure the public that the FDA shall continue to make sure that safe and effective medicines are available to consumers in the CAMANAVA area and the rest of the country. The FDA further informs the public that it has initiated series of activities to address "ghost pharmacies" and acute shortage of dedicated community pharmacists that have severely affected the DOH delivery of public health goods and services and health outcomes.

FDA Advisory No. 2013-010

CONSUMER eReport FACILITY ON COSMETIC PRODUCTS

The FDA, the DOH agency tasked to look after the interests of the consumers, would like to inform the public that the cosmetic standards for quality and safety of ingredients or products are contained in the "ASEAN Cosmetic Directive" (ACD). The ACD is a product of cooperation, harmonization and agreement among the ASEAN Member States to ensure the safety and quality as well as the claimed benefits of all cosmetic products marketed in ASEAN region.

Cosmetic is defined as any substance or preparation that can be applied on the external parts of the body, such as the skin and its appendages, epidermis and hair system, nails, lips, external genital organs, and teeth, and that have any of the following functions: a) for cleaning, b) promoting health benefits, c) perfuming, d) modifying one's appearance, e) correcting body odour, or f) for protecting and keeping any structure of the body in good condition, among others.