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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
An impostor website of the Department of Health and a fake Facebook page of the Philippine General Hospital are endorsing the milk product ‘Hepa Pro’
Claim: The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) are endorsing “Hepa Pro,” a product which allegedly cures liver disease.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: A Facebook page named “PGH-Philippin General Hospital News,” which has 4,000 likes and followers, posted a series of advertisements in February 2025.
The posts included a personal account of a doctor who supposedly had Hepatitis B and recommended the use of the milk product. It claimed significant improvements in their health and liver function over several months, leading to recovery. As of writing, the post has garnered 11,900 reactions and 2,200 shares.
The post’s caption further stated that the product could only be purchased through an official link provided by PGH.
Clicking the link directed users to an alleged DOH website also advertising the product. According to this website, the DOH is offering a 50% discount to patients with liver diseases who will register to buy the product on a specific date.
The facts: Neither PGH nor DOH is endorsing the milk product. In a March 13 statement released on its official Facebook page, the PGH advised the public that it is not endorsing any product or medical equipment.
“Huwag maniwala sa fake news at false advertisement na nagpapakilalang konektado sa University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital,” it added.
(Do not believe fake news and false advertisements claiming to be connected to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital.)
Imposter Facebook page: The Facebook page that posted the advertisements deceptively claims in its bio to have 41 million likes and 43 million followers, compared to the actual figures of 4,000 likes and followers. The PGH’s official Facebook page only has 135,000 likes and 143,000 followers.
To appear legitimate, the fake page has also been resharing posts related to the University of the Philippines, which administers and operates PGH.
Furthermore, the fake page’s page transparency report indicates that 12 of its administrators are based in Vietnam. Rappler’s previous fact-checks have noted that having Vietnam-based administrators is a characteristic of other fake pages promoting unregistered products.
Suspicious link: The link provided in the caption directs to a fake DOH website. Compared to the DOH’s official website, the fake one has different content and layout.
The fake website contains dubious information about doctors, liver complications, product recommendations, and an order form. This order form requires buyers to input their name, address, and phone number, potentially exposing the public to phishing attempts. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing).
The fake website also features an image of health authorities purportedly endorsing the products. This photo is edited. The original photo does not include “Hepa Pro” containers and is actually from a 2024 signing event for a partnership between the Philippines, Korea, Japan, and the United States to strengthen healthcare in the country.
FDA registration: A product registered with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the name “HepaPro” has a different description compared to the product advertised in the misleading posts. According to its registration on the FDA website, it is a food supplement capsule.
Debunked: Rappler has previously debunked a similar claim from the fake PGH Facebook page. The hospital has also been a frequent target of fake advertisements:
- FACT CHECK: PGH not endorsing a milk drink to cure hepatitis
- FACT CHECK: Fake UP-PGH page posts AI-edited bone and joint pain ‘cure’ ad
- FACT CHECK: Fake Philippine General Hospital page promotes arthritis ‘cure
– Lyndee Buenagua/Rappler.com
Lyndee Buenagua is a third year college student and an alumna of Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
