The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) on Wednesday urged the public to exercise due diligence when acquiring medical drugs and food supplements.

During the recent PHA's Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP), the PHA reminded the public to exercise utmost compliance with doctors and rely upon trusted sources when getting medicines.

Tuesday's UPP episode tackled "Puso: Drugs, Supplements & the Heart," in support of the Department of Health's (DOH) observance of National Consciousness Week against Counterfeit Medicine in the third week of November.

Dr. Connie Sison, chairperson of the PHA Council on Pharmacotherapy, stressed that "the PHA supports the DOH in dissecting the formula and source of supplements and vitamins, because they have to be reputable, as the health and lives of the Filipinos are always at stake."

Sison also emphasized that some drugs and food supplements are just "add ons," and no vitamins or supplements can help nor prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as heart ailments and stroke.

CVDs are a leading cause of death in the Philippines, accounting for a third of deaths.

"Vitamins and supplements cannot protect us against heart disease, nor can they prevent heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death," Sison explained in Filipino.

"But multivitamins and mineral supplements, they can lower some risk factors and they can also provide various benefits for our overall health," she added.

Sison also warned about the fad medicines and supplements that are being heavily advertised as "wonder drugs."

"They are advertised left and right, and people don't know their adverse effects," she furthered.

PHA Advocacy Chairperson and Director Dr. Avenilo "Jun" Aventura also reminded the public to be mindful of the effects of the drugs and supplements being taken by asking the doctors first what to do with the underlying sickness.

"Patient compliance is crucial. We as doctors can't do it alone. Patients and their families are involved there so we can identify what's the most effective treatment plan for their condition," Aventura said.

"You can verify if a certain medicine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through their portal in their website. Don't forget to double-check before buying a medicine," he added.

Asked which is better, a generic or a branded medicine, Sison said not all generic and branded ones have the same quality as supplement manufacturers are not as strict as medical drug producers.

"It's better to consult doctors first before buying medicines, especially if you have a heart condition," Sison stressed.

"Make sure to buy medicines or supplements from trusted sources," she added.

In the case of medicinal drugs, Sison maintained that both generic and branded medicines are effective for the heart and body, as generic drugs still go through testing and examinations by the FDA to ensure efficacy.

"But sometimes, there are patients who react well to certain brand names because of other factors such as absorption or bioavailability," she added.