BFAD urged to probe drug supplements claiming cure for diabetes
by Prix D Banzon
Davao City (23 July) -- A leading diabetologist of Davao City challenged government authorities to look into manufacturers of drug supplements claiming cure for diabetes.
Dr. Roy Ferrer, Diabetologist of the Davao Medical Center during the Kapehan sa Dabaw held last Monday at the Café Rysus of SM City Davao said the Bureau of Food and Drug, should check on the proliferation of supplements claiming cure to diabetes.
"They should put more teeth on the law so this could be stopped," he said.
He said the disease is one of the six leading causes of mortality and cases of diabetes are increasing.
Some of the diabetic patients that shifted into herbal supplement found out that their sugar level decreased not knowing that their other organs are already affected.
"Bumaba nga yong sugar level pero tumaas naman ang creatinine an indication that the kidney is already affected," he said.
He said sugar level lower than 6 mmol/liter is normal but persons with impaired fasting Glucose have sugar level at 6mmol/liter to 6.9 mmol/liter.
He said cases like this needs lifestyle modification even as he said that the person must avoid sweets and reduce sugar intake, engage in exercise and follow a balance diet.
There are drugs that doctors could recommend for those with impaired fasting Glucose he said.
Diabetic persons have sugar level equivalent to more than or equal to 7 mmol/liter and he strongly suggested that they should follow religiously medical treatment.
Ferrer explained that type 1 diabetis are those insulin dependent or those juvenile diabetic cases while 90 percent of diabetic population of type 2 are adult.
He further explained that the normal fasting blood sugar or FBS is less than 100 mg/dl and those with impaired fasting Glucose is between 100 mg/dl to 125 mg/dl.
Diabetic persons has more than or equal to 125 mg/dl.
Diabetes can cause many complications and acute cases may occur if the disease is not adequately controlled.
He said diabetes symptoms is polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia which are respectively frequent urination, increased thirst and consequent increased fluid intake and increased appetite.
He said there is an increasing cases of the diabetes because of the lifestyle of people and it would be good for people to modify their style of living. (PIA) [top]
