'Wild West:' Philippine senators alarmed over counterfeit drugs sold online

Senators on Tuesday sounded the alarm over the surge of counterfeit medicines and illegal drugs being sold online, describing the digital marketplace as a “Wild West” due to weak government oversight.

During a hearing by the Committee on Health and Demography, lawmakers warned that while online platforms offer convenience, they have become unsafe channels where Filipinos risk exposure to fake medicines, prohibited substances, and deceptive advertisements.

They pointed to alleged inefficiency and corruption within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as factors allowing the problem to persist.

Senators emphasized that inadequate regulation undermines the objectives of Universal Health Care, noting that the program cannot achieve its goals if citizens continue to face dangerous and unmonitored products.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, calls on regulatory agencies such as FDA as well as online platforms including Facebook, TikTok, Shopee, and Lazada, to take greater responsibility in regulating health and beauty products promoted and sold online.

Hontiveros said she filed Senate Bill No. 564, otherwise known as the Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Products Prevention Act, to address the growing risks faced by Filipinos who purchase health and beauty products online.

The senator cited two major dangers: counterfeit products that are fake, or mislabeled, and unregulated products that have not undergone FDA evaluation, making their health claims potentially harmful.

Hontiveros warned that some online sellers disguise illegal substances such as CBD oil, magic mushrooms, and LSD as ordinary items like chocolates or trading cards, posing serious health risks to the public.

She said reports from dialysis centers showed patients getting younger, with unregulated supplements and medicines that are not required and do not exceed the correct regulations as possible reasons for the health decline.

“Since the sales are on the platforms, they (sellers) should have clear responsibilities, especially their take-down policies. Let us not allow our push for the Universal Health Care be ignored because no matter what system we have, if the regulation is weak, if our citizens gamble on dangerous products, many Filipinos would fall sick,” Hontiveros warned.

Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo denounced the FDA's incompetency in eradicating the widespread selling of unregistered, unsafe, and fake medicines online and in physical stores nationwide.

“FDA, if we are serious about consumer protection, content creators who promote unregistered products should be held accountable,” Tulfo stressed.

“In this hearing, it's clear who the main character is. The question is: are they the heroes of consumer protection, or are they the villains of public health? In public health, advisories are not sufficient. Action is the true measure of credibility,” he added.

Tulfo said unregistered, unsafe, and fake products are still widespread, not just online, but also in physical stores.

He said his team visited establishments, including some retail stores, inspected by the FDA on October 17, 2025, and they managed to purchase unsafe and unregistered products like Hokkaido slimming pills that contained amphetamine.

Senator Erwin Tulfo also slammed the FDA for being inept in taking actions on the request of the Palawan provincial government regarding the approval of several dialysis machines that are intended for the free dialysis program of Palawan Provincial Hospital.

Tulfo said the request for approval of several dialysis machines was filed in 2018 and until December 2025, the Office of the Provincial Governor is still waiting for the FDA’s approval.

“The question was why it took so long, from 2018 to December 2025, and the dialysis machines still haven't been approved, even though the hospital in Palawan desperately needs them because treatment for Palaweños will be free. Unfortunately, it was not approved by the FDA. So, I agree with this investigation and with this committee hearing, headed by our Chairperson Risa Hontiveros and Sen. Raffy Tulfo, so we can clarify where the problem lies and what the problem is,” Tulfo stressed.

The senator also called on the attention of social media platforms such as Facebook and Tiktok that allowed content creators to advertise medicines and products that are not approved by the FDA. 

-Paraluman News