Health 10

Consumer
Health
Consumer health includes
knowing the facts about
health products and not
just about buying health
products and services.
 Who is a good
health consumer?
A good health consumer
examines carefully the
information that goes
with health products and
services.
•Obtaining reliable health information
from healthcare professionals
•Carefully evaluate health information
or else they will waste their money
on buying products
•Worst is that they will endanger their
personal health
Health Consumer
is a person who
purchases and utilizes
goods and services
Health Products
are goods, commodities, or
devices that either make a
person healthy, strong, and
energetic.
Health Information
includes the facts, concepts,
and updates related to
human and community
health.
Sources of Health
Information
 Reliable Health Information
• Medical and health professionals
• Government agencies e.g. DOH and FDA
• Medical specialists referred by doctors.
• Local and barangay health officials
• Reputable sources e.g. brochures from local,
public, private hospitals
• Reliable health information websites in
government sites or medical journals
(.gov, .edu, and .org)
 Risky Health Information
• Outdated customs and practices without a scientific
basis
• Paid health advertisements on TV, in the
newspapers, and on the internet
• Claims based on hearsay, unreliable media,
testimonials, ignorance, and partiality
• Personal options and incomplete information
• Quack or pseudo-healers
 Health Products
that have Possible
Risks
1. Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Drugs
2. Cosmetic Products
3. Skin Care Products
4. Hair Care Products
5. Oral Care Products
Alternative
Medicine
Alternatie medicines inludes
herbal treatment food
supplements, massage
therapy and other treatment
that could complement
regular medicine.
Types of Alternative Medicine
1. Herbal medicine
2. Ventosa
3. Reflexology
4. Naturopathy
5. Massage therapy
6. Acupuncture
1. Herbal Medicine
- refers to the use of plants
or parts of plants like stems,
roots, bark, seeds, leaves,
flowers, and fruits for
medical purposes.
2. Ventosa
- is an alternative therapy in
which glasses are placed on
some important points at
the back of a person.
3. Reflexology
- is done by applying
pressure to the feet, ears, or
hands by means of thumb or
a particular finger.
4. Naturopathy
- is from the word ‘nature’
and thus, uses natural ways
to treat a patient.
5. Massage therapy
- is generally believed to
result in the good circulation
of blood.
6. Acupuncture
- an ancient practice that
originated in China, involves
picking the skin or tissues
with thin needles at certain
points on the body.
Top 10 Philippine
medicinal plants
approved by the
DOH
 Medicinal Plans English Name Their Functions
Acapulko Acapulco For the treatment of
insect bites,
itchiness,
ringworms,
infections, scabies,
and eczema

Ampalaya Bitter melon or As a supplement in

bitter gourd treating diabetes,
burns, coughs, and
hemorhoids.
Bawang Garlic As a supplement in
reducing blood
cholesterol levels;
used also as an
antibacterial and anti-
inflammatory drug

Bayabas Guava Used as an

antioxidant. Anti-
allergy, anti-microbial,
and anti-diabetic drug.
Lagundi Five-leaved For the
chaste tree treatment of
cough, colds,
and fever.
Niyog- Chinese For the
niyogan honeysuckle elimination
of intestinal
parasites.
Sambong Blumea or Ngai As a
camphor supplement in
treating
hypertension,
kidney stones,
rheumatism,
cough, and
colds
Tsaang gubat Wild tea For the
treatment of
skin allergies.
Ulasimang Peperomia For treating
Bato or pellucida arthritis and
Pansit- gout.
pansitan
Yerba Buena Peppermint For insect
bites,
coughs, and
colds.
Consumer Welfare
and Protection
 Consumer Rights
are privileges that must be
guaranteed. These rights make
individuals smart consumers
and prevent them from being
deceived by inaccurate
 “ Consumer Act of the
Philippines”
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 facilitate sound choices and to
properly exercise the rights of the
consumer.
4.Provision of adequate rights and means
of redress.
5.Involvement of consumer
representatives in the formulation of
social and economic policies.
What are the agencies protecting consumer
welfare?
In the wide scope of health care, there are
government agencies and private organizations
that help protect consumers. Government
agencies include the FDA (Food and Drug
Administration), DOH (Department of Health),
and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry).
The roles of government agencies are the
following:
1.Implementing the laws
protecting consumers.
2.Making research and testing
the quality of products.
3.Giving guidelines for the
quality of products.
What are the
basic rights of
consumers?
1.Right to be safe- The products or
services that you receive must not harm
you.
2.Right to choose freely- You should have
a variety of options to choose from.
3.Right to be informed- You should be
provided with the complete product and
service information.
4.Rights to be heard- You can give
feedback or make a complaint if you are
not satisfied with the product/services.
5.Rights to service- You should be treated
with courtesy and respect.
6.Right to education- You should have
access to programs and information that
will help you become a better consumer.
 Why is it
important to
understand
health fraud?
 Concept to Learn
A quack is a person or company involved in health
fraud that usually appears scientific and
trustworthy.
Quackery is the practice of promoting and selling
fake and unproven health products and services.
Health fraud is the advertising, promotion, and
sale of products and services that have not been
scientifically proven safe and effective.
 Medical Quackery
This offers a cure to life-threatening
illnesses including cancer and other
major illnesses. Medical quacks
give diagnoses by eye examination,
false cures like “secret” formulas,
and drugless medications.
 Nutritional Quackery
Quacks sell food, in which ingredients
may not contain substances that are
good for the body. Rather these foods
may oversupply certain unnecessary
substances that may lead to
complications like kidney stones,
anemia, or goiter.
 Device Quackery
Quack use devices that are worn
like bracelets and necklaces that
can diagnose illnesses. They also
offer pyramids, and toning water to
cure arthritis, rheumatism, lethargy
depression, and other illnesses.
 Beauty Quackery
This sells products that offer a cure
for skin, weight, and hair loss
problems. These products are not
proven effective; thus, side effects
include skin infections and hair
loss.
 What are the dangers of
Quackery?
The danger in resorting to quackery is
that it would delay the appropriate and
reliable medical treatment of illnesses,
thus resulting in complications and
death. Secondary to it is the loss of
hard-earned money for useless
medicines and services.
 How are
quacks
recognized?
 QUACK
•Claim that traditional medical
treatment is more harmful
rather than helpful.
•Use scare tactics that play on
fears and emotions.
 Doctors
•Claim that the medical
profession does not recognize
this product or services.
•Guarantee a quick cure or a
cure for an incurable disease.