The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has upgraded its virtual verification portal, allowing consumers to quickly check whether medicines, food products, cosmetics, and health establishments are registered and licensed. The update is part of government efforts to reduce the circulation of counterfeit and unregistered products in the market, particularly those sold online.
FDA spokesperson Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado said the improved system makes verification easier and more accessible to the public.
One-Search System for Products and Establishments
The upgraded portal now features a consolidated search function that lets users enter a single keyword such as a brand name, generic name, or establishment name to verify registration or licensing status. Previously, searches had to be done by product category, which made the process less convenient.
The platform also includes voice search, a more user-friendly interface, and a mobile-responsive design that can be accessed on smartphones and tablets. As a cloud-based system, it securely stores documents such as certificates of product registration, licenses to operate, and certificates of product notification.
Consumers can also verify whether establishments like drugstores and food manufacturing facilities are licensed under Republic Act 9711 and compliant with good manufacturing practices.
Helping Consumers Avoid Fake Online Products
The enhanced portal is expected to help buyers avoid unregistered health products sold on e-commerce platforms. While the FDA discourages purchasing prescription medicines online, the verification tool allows users to check whether products sold digitally have proper registration or notification.
The FDA is working with platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, and Meta to curb the sale of illegal products. From October to December last year, these partnerships resulted in a 72 percent take-down rate of monitored unregistered products. The agency is also coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry to strengthen enforcement of the e-Commerce Act.
Reporting Suspicious Products and Consumer Reminders
The FDA encourages the public to report suspicious products or establishments through ereport@fda.gov.ph or via the “eSumbong” feature on its website. Many violations involve unregistered products marketed online with misleading claims, often targeting senior citizens.
Consumers are advised to verify products through the portal, check labels carefully, and be cautious of claims such as “FDA-approved” without confirmation. The FDA is also reviewing Republic Act 9711 and strengthening coordination with law enforcement agencies to further improve consumer protection.
