RP lagging behind dev't of herbal industry

MANILA, Philippines - Despite being an agricultural country and one whose populace, especially in the rural areas, have a wealth of knowledge on herbal medicines, the Philippines has lagged behind other Asian countries in developing herbal industry.

In the early 90s, the government was openly supportive and welcoming of the herbal industry when the Department of Health was promoting the “Sampung Halamang Gamot” program.

These medicinal plants that department endorsed were thoroughly tested and clinically proven to have medicinal value in the relief and treatment of various ailments.

In 1997, the Traditional and Alternative Medicine or the TAMA Law was also passed with the objective of growing the industry to cater to a wide range of alternative health care benefits to Filipinos.

The nurturing and harmonious regulatory environment continued throughout the 90s and early 2000 till the herbal industry became a full-blown formal industry offering a plethora of health benefits gravitating towards the DOH’s Sampung Halamang gamot, especially ampalaya or bitter gourd.

DOH support weakens

But over the past administrations, the DOH has oscillated in its efforts to support the traditional, alternative and complementary health care sector and weaken support to medicinal plants. 

In 2003, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit issued a department circular taking out ampalaya from DOH list, and downgrading it as a “folklorically validated” herbal medicinal plant.

This resulted in the almost-death of the ampalaya sector of the herbal industry, thus wasting millions invested in factory equipment and promotional activities and depriving small and medium enterprises with livelihood and ampalaya farmers with sources of income.

Fortunately, when Secretary Francisco Duque assumed the health post, he reinstated, in March 2007, ampalaya as a scientifically validated herbal medicinal plant that can lower elevated blood sugar levels. This enabled the sector to slowly recover.

But the DOH turned around in fostering the growth of the herbal industry with its issuance of Administrative Order (AO) 2010-008 last March 18.

The order directs the herbal industry to prominently place or audibly voice in all print and broadcast advertising materials of their food supplements a “derogatory” advisory in Filipino. Instead of the standard phrase “No approved therapeutic claim,” the mandatory disclaimer now reads: “Mahalagang paalala: ang (name of product) ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit.”

Industry opposition

The Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines Inc. (CHIPI) was the first to oppose the AO issued without consultation with the public, especially the industry stakeholders.

An association composed of over 65 local companies manufacturing or distributing the most in-demand herbal dietary supplements today, CHIPI said the mandatory disclaimer would send the wrong message to its growing number of patrons and reverse the efforts of the industry and previous administrations in promoting traditional, alternative and complementary healthcare products.

CHIPI explained that they are not against the Filipino translation per se of the present disclaimer “No Approved Therapeutic Claim.”

“It is just that what the AO espouses is a language translation which in itself is erroneous and damages the integrity of the product with regard to its having therapeutic value,” the CHIPI said in a statement.

The AO also limits the communication of vital product information in advertising and brochures, and the stopping altogether of promotional efforts in conventions and exhibitions sponsored by the medical and health associations. Violations are also given stiff sanctions including imprisonment.

“Instead of penalizing the entire food/dietary supplement industry – innocent and guilty alike, DOH should instead make every effort to ferret out companies which are in violation of FDA regulations and properly and punish the abusive companies that make fantastic claims that are misleading and can harm the public,” CHIPI members said.

They said the DOH should not condemn the entire industry, especially the legitimate and responsible ones who have been providing affordable and alternative healthcare to millions of Filipinos.

Aside from substantial investments in advertising and promotion, CHIPI employs hundreds of employees as factory workers, sales and marketing agents, as well as provide enormous benefits to the agriculture sector which farm and produce raw materials for the herbal industry, they said.