DURING this period of public health crisis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, consumers should be discerning and vigilant when buying rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer products. As the health crisis deepens, they should be on their guard against the spread of unregistered rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizers in the market, including online stores. Using these unverified products the safety and efficacy of which is questionable may give consumers a false sense of security in the time of coronavirus.
This matter is such serious public health concern that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued two successive advisories against the consumption of topical antiseptics and antibacterials lacking the required Certificate of Product Registration, and hand sanitizers with no Certificate of Product Notification. Through FDA Advisory 2020-422, the agency enjoined consumers “to be vigilant in the purchase and use of these types of products in light of proliferation of unregistered/unnotified products during this time when a state of calamity has been declared due to COVID-19 threat in the country.”
Prior to this, the FDA through Advisory 2020-421 warned consumers “to be mindful of (online) transactions as there are unscrupulous individuals who are taking advantage of this situation for personal gain.” Among those reported to be sold online are products that are unregistered/unnotified hand sanitizers, antiseptics, antibacterials, and other toxic chemicals with unverified claims regarding the elimination of COVID-19.
To avoid being misled, consumers must carefully check product labeling information, including the country of manufacture, name and address of the company that placed the product on the market, manufacturing or expiry date, product batch number, ingredients’ list, instructions for use and precautionary warnings. The FDA could do more, however. It should make available to the public a summary list of duly registered or notified antiseptic and disinfectant products that are effective and safe to use, including rubbing alcohol (ethyl and isopropyl), alcohol spray, “alcogel,” “alcologne,” hand sanitizing gel, disinfecting wipes, and similar products.
After all, is the State policy under the Consumer Act of the Philippines to protect the interests of the consumer and promote the general welfare, particularly the consumers’ right to information to facilitate sound choice, and the right to be protected against hazards to health and safety.
