Food and DrugHow to check if a product is FDA-approved in the Philippines?

When seeking information about FDA-approved products, Certificates of Product Registration (CPR), and establishments with a License to Operate (LTO) in the Philippines, utilizing the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website and advanced Google search techniques can be highly effective. Here is a detailed guide on how to do so:

Using the Philippine FDA Website

The Philippine FDA website offers a comprehensive verification portal that allows users to search for FDA-approved products, CPRs, and establishments with LTOs. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Accessing the FDA Verification Portal:
   • Visit the official FDA Verification Portal at https://verification.fda.gov.ph/.
2. Searching for FDA-Approved Food Products:
   • Go to the food products list available at https://verification.fda.gov.ph/All_FoodProductslist.php.
   • Use the search bar to input the product name or any specific details you have. For example, if you are looking for a specific brand of bottled water, type the brand name into the search bar.
3. Finding FDA-Approved Drugs and Other Products:
   • You can search for drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and other health-related products by navigating through the main verification portal.
   • Select the appropriate category and enter the product name or registration number for more specific results.
4. Verifying Certificates of Product Registration (CPR):
   • On the verification portal, there are options to verify the CPR of different product categories. Enter the product’s name or CPR number to get the registration details.
   • Example: To verify the CPR for a specific cosmetic product, select the “Cosmetics” category, then enter the product name or CPR number.
5. Checking Establishments with a License to Operate (LTO):
   • The FDA website also provides a search function to verify establishments with a License to Operate. Select the type of establishment and enter relevant details such as the establishment’s name or LTO number.
   • Example: To find if a pharmaceutical company has an LTO, choose “Pharmaceutical” under the establishments category, then input the company’s name.

Using Google Advanced Search

For a more extensive search beyond the FDA website, utilizing Google’s advanced search operators can be beneficial. Here’s how you can effectively use Google to find FDA-related information:

1. Search for FDA-Approved Products:
   • Use the following search syntax: site:verification.fda.gov.ph “product name“. This restricts the search results to the FDA’s verification portal.
   • Example: site:verification.fda.gov.ph “acetaminophen” will show results related to acetaminophen from the FDA portal.
2. Finding CPR Information:
   • To find details on CPRs, use site:verification.fda.gov.ph, “Certificate of Product Registration,” or “product name.”
   • Example: site:verification.fda.gov.ph “Certificate of Product Registration” “skin lotion” will return results specific to skin lotions with CPR.
3. Verifying Establishments with LTO:
   • To verify if an establishment has an LTO, use: site:verification.fda.gov.ph “License to Operate” “establishment name”.
   • Example: site:verification.fda.gov.ph “License to Operate” “XYZ Pharmaceuticals“ will show if XYZ Pharmaceuticals holds a valid LTO.
4. Combining Search Operators:
   • Combine various search operators for more precise results. For example, to find FDA announcements or updates related to a product, use: site:fda.gov.ph “product name“ AND “announcement”.
   • Example: site:fda.gov.ph “hand sanitizer” AND “announcement”.

By leveraging the FDA website and advanced Google search techniques, users can efficiently find comprehensive information about FDA-approved products, CPRs, and licensed establishments. This approach ensures that consumers and businesses access accurate and up-to-date regulatory information.