BFAD urged to probe claims on "cure all" herbal products

CEBU, Philippines - Alarmed over the increasing market of herbal products, the Cebu City Council has passed a resolution urging the Bureau of Food and Drugs to look into the claims of the suppliers of these products that they can “cure all ailments” because it might just give false impression to consumers.

Councilor Arsenio Pacaña, who authored the resolution, said there is an increasing number of herbal medicine users because of the testimonials of herbal product users who claimed they were cured of their ailments after taking the products.

Pacaña said the advertisement in print and broadcast media showing testimonials and claims of herbal products’ medicinal benefits and miracle cures should be a cause for alarm since herbal products have no proven therapeutic claim that is based on scientific studies or laboratory tests.

“At present there are thousands of herbal products that are sold in the market today, all claiming as a cure all ailments known to man. It is contrary to their print disclaimer of ‘No Approved Therapeutic Claim,’” he added.

The south district councilor said if BFAD continues to allow the marketing trend, it would expose people to further health risk, considering those afflicted with certain illness would easily rely on the supposed health benefit of herbal product instead of seeking the help of diagnosis of professional doctors.

“Since more people are using herbal products believing it to be more of a medicinal cure and an effective alternative to doctor prescribed medicine, it is imperative therefore for the BFAD to stringently safeguard and protect people’s health,” Pacaña said.

The City Council also urged the Advertising Board to shed light whether the “cure all claim” made by herbal product advertisers does not violate the principle of the “truth in advertising” mandating advertiser s to tell the public the truth so as not to be deceived by false claims.   (FREEMAN NEWS)