DOH, FDA urge consumers to verify health products online

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines are urging the public to verify whether health and consumer products are registered or approved before purchase, using the agency’s newly launched verification portal.

In a Facebook advisory, the DOH encouraged consumers to check products through the FDA portal to ensure they have undergone proper evaluation for safety and effectiveness.

How to verify products

Consumers can check a product’s legitimacy by visiting verification.fda.gov.ph or accessing the verification portal through the official FDA website.

Once in the portal, users can search using text or voice search.

For text search, consumers may enter any of the following:

• Product keyword
• Product name
• Registration number
• Company name

After entering the information and clicking search, the system will display whether the product is approved and registered with the FDA.

The portal also supports voice search, allowing users to speak directly into their device’s microphone. The system transcribes the words and searches automatically.

Consumer protection

Health authorities said the portal aims to help buyers quickly determine whether a product has passed regulatory checks before purchase or use.

The DOH and FDA added that the platform protects consumers by making it easier to confirm that products have been properly evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

The agencies reminded the public to be cautious of products sold or promoted online, particularly those that may pose health risks.

The DOH said verifying products through the FDA portal is an effective way for consumers to ensure that items they buy have passed necessary regulatory review.—MCG, GMA Integrated News