Consumer Health- this refers to the facts and understanding that enable people to make wise choices.

-Refers that to the decisions you make about the purchase of products and use of health
information and services that will have direct effect on your health.
Health consumer – is someone who examines health information in products and services.
- Is one who purchases utilizes the goods and services.
Health Information- is everything that is seen, read, or heard in relation to human and community health.
Sources of trusted Health Information
1. Family doctor or school
2. Medical specialists referred by doctors
3. Local health officials of health
4. Management or head of a hospital
5. Health teachers or workers
6. Bureau of food and drugs
7. Philippine dental association
8. National voluntary agencies like the Philippines national red cross
9. Editors of health magazines question and answer articles which are referred to concerned government officials.
Sources of risky Health Information
1. Outdated culture and traditions
2. Personal options and incomplete information
3. Unreliable media and testimonials
4. Quack or pseudo healer
Health products- include medicines, medical equipment, and related devices.
A. Over –the counter Drugs – drugs that do not require prescription from the doctors.
The following are examples of the risks of using these drugs:
 Pain reliever like aspirin and ibuprofen
 Acetaminophen
 Prolonged use of nasal sprays
B. Cosmetic products – mostly are external use.
 Skin care products
 Hair Care products
 Oral care products
Health Services - refers to activities done to assess, maintain, or improve the individual’s health.
How is health services evaluated?
1. Location of services points
2. Effectiveness of doctors, clinics, and hospitals
3. Promptness and kindness when caring for patients and family members
4. Ease of access to the authorization forms for consultations
5. Price and diversity of available doctors, clinics, and hospitals.
Health Professionals- who are engaged in providing solutions to health related problems.
Medical specialist
1. Anesthesiologist – administration of anesthesia like in surgery.
2. Cardiologist- coronary artery disease; heart disease.
3. Dermatologist- skin conditions
4. Family practice physician- general care physician
5. Gynecologist- female reproductive system.
6. Internist- treatment of diseases in adults
7. Obstetrician- pregnancy , labor, childbirth
8. Ophthalmologist- eye disease and treatment
9. Primary care physician- general health and medical care
10. Surgeon – treats by surgery
Dental Specialists
Dentist – general care of teeth and oral cavity
Endodontist- diseases tooth below gum line and root canal therapy
Orthodontist – teeth alignment, malocclusion
Pedodontist- dental care of children
Periodontist -diseases supporting structures
Prosthodontist- construction of artificial appliances for the mouth
Mental Health practitioners
Psychologist – general care of mental and emotional wellness
Psychiatrists –specialists in mental and emotional problems.
The Child and Adolescent psychiatrist- specialist in children’s mental and emotional problems
Other Health Professionals
Nurses- general care of patients in the hospital
Midwives- child delivery assistance
Health facilities – are hospitals, barangay health centers, and other primary centers, and others that are created to
provide basic health services.

Alternative Medicines – are not considered as standard medical practices by experts in medicines; thus it can just
accompany but not replace the regular medicines prescribed by medical specialist.
Herbal Medicine - refers to any plant or part of a plant.
- Refers to the use plants or parts of plants like stem, roots, barks, seed, leaves, flowers, and fruits for
medical purposes.
Ten Philippine Medical Plants approved by Department of Health
1. Akapulko- Acapaulco – treatment of insect bites, itchiness, ringworms, infections, scabies, and eczema.
2. Ampalaya- Bitter melon or bitter gourd – treating diabetes, burns, coughs, and hemorrhoids.
3. Bawang- Garlic- reducing blood cholesterol level, used also as antibacterial and anti- inflammatory drug.
4. Bayabas- guava- anti – oxidant, anti-allergy, anti-microbial and anti-diabetic drug.
5. Lagundi- 5 leaf chaste tree- cough, colds and fever.
6. Niyog –nyogan- chinese honeysuckle- elimination of intestinal parasites.
7. Sambong- Blumea or ngai camphor- treat hypertension, kidney stones, rheumatism ,cough, and colds.
8. Tsang Gubat – wild tea- skin allergies
9. Ulasimang bato or pansit pansitan- anthritis and gout
10. Yerba Buena- peppermint- insect bites coughs , and colds

Ventosa- an alternative medicine in w/c glasses are placed on some important points at the back of a person.
Reflexology- done applying pressure to feet, ears, or hands by means of the thumb or a particular finger.
Naturopathy- uses natural ways to treat a patient.
Massage therapy - known to improve one’s well- being.
- It is generally believed to result in good circulation of blood.

Quackery – is the promotion of false and unproven health products and services for a profit.
- It a consumer fraud that involves the practices of promoting and selling useless products and
services.
Claims of these health products:
1. Scientific breakthrough
2. To have a secret ingredient or procedure
3. Being a miraculous cure or an ancient remedy or practice
4. Cure multiple or wide range of illnesses.
Quack – a person or company involved in health fraud which usually tries hard to appear scientific.
-May endorse products or services with a promise of quick cures, miracles, or unbelievable formulas.
Health fraud – is the advertising, promotion, and dale of products and services that have not been scientifically proven
safe and effective.

Medical quackeries and fads

1. Medical quackery 5.cancer quackery
2. food quackery 6. arthritis and rheumatism quackery
3. device quackery 7.beauty quackery
4. psychological quackery 8. blading quackery
Consumer welfare and protection
1. protection against hazards to health and safety
2. protection against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts and practices
3. provision of information and education to facilities sound choices and to properly exercise the rights of the
consumer
4. provision of adequate rights and mean of redress
5. Involvement of consumer representatives in the formulation of social and economic policies.
Agencies protecting consumer welfare
1. BFAD 2. DOH 3. DTI
a. Implement laws protecting consumers
b. Make researches and test the quality of products
c. Give guidelines for the quality of products
Basic rights of consumer
1. Right to be safe 5. Right to choose freely
2. Right to be informed 6. Right to be heard
3. Right to be heard 7. Right to service
4. Right to education