DOH warns public vs fake pages selling unverified blood pressure products
By Jel Santos
(PHOTO: DOH)
The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, June 21, cautioned the public against deceptive websites and social media accounts mimicking the agency to peddle unverified products, particularly those falsely marketed as treatments for high blood pressure.
“Hindi nag-eendorso ng kahit anong produkto ang DOH. Mag-ingat sa DOH fake accounts (DOH does not endorse any product. Beware of fake DOH accounts),” the health department said in a public advisory.
The agency said that such fake pages falsely use the DOH name and its officials to sell commercial products, particularly those marketed as treatments for high blood pressure.
According to the DOH, such products have no proven cure and that the department will not endorse any commercial product.
The advisory featured a screenshot of a fraudulent page bearing the DOH logo and the name of a medical expert allegedly endorsing a blood vessel-cleansing product.
Only the website www.doh.gov.ph is officially used by the department, it clarified.
The DOH cautioned the public to be vigilant against deceptive marketing strategies that include fake testimonials, false endorsements from experts, and misleading health claims.
“Naireport na ng DOH sa DICT ang pekeng account at gumagawa na ng hakbang ang kagawaran para mapanagot sa batas ang mga nasa likod nito (The DOH has reported the fake account to the DICT and is already taking steps to hold those behind it accountable under the law),” the agency added.
The health department urged to report such fake accounts.
The DOH said its official social media accounts of the Department of Health (DOH) are Facebook: DOHgovph, Instagram: @doh.philippines, and their official website: www.doh.gov.ph.