Whenever one opens a radio, he would invariably hear advertisements for certain medicines with claims of effectiveness and endorsements from various users. The claims were extravagant that it is too good to be true. If one would take it seriously, the advertised medicines can cure almost all illnesses known to man. What they have not claimed is that these drugs if we can call them that had passed the Bureau of Food and Drugs Administration, BFAD or they had endorsement from the Philippine Medical Association.

At the time of skyrocketing prices, the advertised medicine would be a boon – if they had been proven effective. It is a panacea or an elixir, which could be had for a song. It can cure ills, which are either organic or psychosomatic, mind induced illnesses. It could act as an antibiotic, which could fight infections; sedative, which could calm nerves; anti inflammatory, which could lower swelling; analgesic, which could alleviate body pains or antipyretic, which could reduce fever. It could even be an opiate, which could prevent insomnia.

The advertised medicine is herbal, which means it is of vegetable matter. However, the advertisers have not identified the chemical substances it carries and the effects that it may induce or cause. Herbal does not mean it is always safe. Strychnine, hydro cyanic acid and opiates come from plants. There are also muscle relaxants and sleep inducing compounds. Those, when used under carefully controlled dosage, are beneficial. However, if used indiscriminately, it might cause bodily damage or even death.

Medicines, herbal or not, if used externally could be washed off at the least sign of danger. Medicines like those are usually counterirritants, which will induce sensations to cover discomforts. An oil-based solution of methyl salicylate, menthol and camphor, when rubbed over an arthritic or rheumatic joint will cause a heat sensation, which will induce blood circulation to the area and ease the pains. But that medication cannot be recommended for internal use.

When medicines are recommended for internal use, they must first be certified as fit for human consumption by BFAD. The chemicals in the medicine will have to be identified and the effects it will exert on the body tissues, the duration, which the drug is retained in the body and the manner in which it is discharged. Effects of prolonged use will have to be determined and the limits of the therapy. It is not only the indications that will mention but also the contraindications. Also, what will be the effects of the advertised medicine on persons with certain previous illnesses.

Judicious use of medicine is sometimes dangerous. A doctor once prescribed a fellow a certain medicine for his rheumatism. He experienced relief and liked it so much that for every time he felt a slight discomfort, he took that medicine. This went on for a time until he fell ill and that time it was too late. His bones were so affected that no amount of cure would restore him back to health.

If the advertised medicine were only for external use, there would be no so much danger. All the user may contact is skin disorder. But if the medicine is taken internally, it might affect his liver, kidney, heart or brain or worse, he might become impotent. Anyway, since the advertised medicine had not specified the indications, contraindications and effects of prolonged use, the blame could be made on anything else but not the advertised medicine.