Charles Teves
A pharmacist, a content creator, emphasized that dietary supplements should not be considered medication replacements.
In a March 8 tweet, Arshie Larga, a pharmacist, posted a video discussing certain endorsements found in supplement ads that suggest health benefits.
He cited examples of supplements that claim to lower blood pressure or benefit diabetes or cancer, among others.
“Bilang consumers, may karapatan naman po kayo na mamili ng mga kung anong mga food supplements ang gusto niyong inumin,” Larga said in the video.
“Gayun pa man, bilang isang pharmacist, may paalala lamang po ako sa inyo. Let me explain. Tandaan lamang po natin na ang mga food supplements or dietary supplements po ay hindi mga gamot,” he added.
The pharmacist explained that food and dietary supplements are supplementary sources of vitamins and minerals, providing nutrients that might not be present in our regular diet.
“Samantalang kapag sinabi po nating gamot or drug, ginagamit naman po ito sa diagnosis bilang lunas o kaya’y gamot naman sa isang sakit, at ginagamit rin ito bilang prevention o para hindi magkasakit ang isang tao,” Larga continued.
He emphasized that because food supplements are not medications, they should not be used or regarded as treatments for any illness or medical issue.
Ang mga food supplement ay hindi alternative/substitute sa mga gamot. Bakit?💡🤔 pic.twitter.com/IXgawXoVQ6
— Arshie Larga (@Arshiethromycin) March 8, 2023
Larga asserted, “Kaya po ‘pag may mga food supplements or dietary supplements na nagsasabi na ang gamot nila ay gamot sa high blood, gamot sa diabetes, gamot sa cancer at tsaka saka kung anu-ano pang sakit, mag-isip-isip po muna tayo at huwag tayo basta-basta magpapadala sa mga pangako’y ito’y gamot sa iba’t ibang uri ng sakit.”
“Kung sa Tagalog, ‘Ang gamot na ito ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting gamot sa mga uri ng sakit,’” the pharmacist added.
He also emphasized that dietary supplements should not be viewed as replacements for maintenance medications or prescriptions intended for managing chronic or ongoing health issues.
In the Philippines, food and dietary supplements must include disclaimers when promoted through mass media. The Food and Drug Administration Philippines mandates that all parties involved, such as owners, manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, advertisers, and their agents, must display “Mahalagang paalala: Ang (name of product) ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit.”
A pharmacy explains that supplements are designed to provide additional vitamins and minerals to address dietary needs. They aim to bolster or refine one’s diet by supplementing nutrient supply. Supplements are not classified as medicines because they cannot treat illnesses or diseases.
Medications are meant to target specific bodily ailments or conditions, with the objective of curing or, at the very least, managing and enhancing one’s physical well-being. These typically require a doctor’s prescription before being obtained from pharmacies.
