Our office received a report that a certain “Public Health Recommendation” with an unauthorized use of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) logo was posted on a social media platform. It claims that the agency supports and recommends the use of a certain health product.
We would like to remind the general public that the FDA does not and shall not advocate the use of any specific brand of health product. The agency exercises its mandate to safeguard public health through the issuance of a License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration/Notification to establishments and health products that are compliant with FDA’s regulatory policies.
Likewise, we would like to warn all persons or entities that the unauthorized use of the FDA’s name, logo or stamp shall be a ground for filing appropriate administrative charges and/or imposition of administrative sanctions, without prejudice to the criminal liability under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, which states that:
“Art. 179. Illegal use of uniform or insignia. The penalty of prison mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held such person or to class or persons of which he is not a member.”
We encourage all consumers to be vigilant in purchasing and using health products by verifying if it is registered or notified with the FDA through the FDA Verification Portal (https://verification.fda.gov.ph/). Violative health products and non-compliant establishments may be reported to the FDA via email [email protected] for the appropriate action of the agency.