Blogger moms warn public vs. buying fake, substandard medical products from China

Filipinos should be vigilant against buying and using fake or sub-standard medical products from China, two blogger moms have warned.

In their recent blog posts, mothers Michelle Hill Estranero and Kaleena Figuracion expressed their disappointment with the proliferation of fake products from “unscrupulous” manufacturers who are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to “infiltrate” the Philippine markets.

"We all know that face masks and other medical supplies are crucial in the worldwide battle against coronavirus, but the illegal trade of these counterfeit items during a public health crisis shows their total disregard for people's well-being," Estranero said in her post.

"The fake masks and medical supplies may pose a threat to our health because they are not made with the correct materials or may lack the specifications that would prevent viruses or bacteria from entering into breathing passages, according to industry experts,” she added.

Meanwhile, Figuracion said the rising number of fake medicines and medical equipment from China in the Philippine market was alarming.

"Sadly, there seem to be no limit to the proliferation of fake goods from China,” she lamented.

Earlier, the Food and Drug Administration also warned health care professionals and the public against buying and using misbranded face mask products.

FDA Director General and Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo on Thursday told GMA News Online that English and Filipino are the only languages allowed to be used in labeling products in the country.

Last month, the Bureau of Customs confiscated P244 million-worth of smuggled, unregistered or counterfeit personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies since late March up to the end of May.

With this, Estranero and Figuracion called on the public to be vigilant and meticulous in buying products and medicines amid the pandemic.

"What makes this dangerous is that it gives people a false sense of security that they are protected from the virus when in reality they are not," Figuracion noted.

"Sadly, illegitimate Chinese manufacturers will stop at nothing to make a profit and counterfeiting may not be defeated completely, but  it can be discouraged through law and culturally sensitive tactics by the government,” Estranero added.

Further, the two urged their fellow content creators to use their platforms to help raise awareness on the issues affecting the country. -MDM, GMA News