FACT CHECK: PGH not endorsing a milk drink to cure hepatitis

Claim: The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) endorses a milk drink that can cure hepatitis.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook page named “PGH-Philippin General Hospital News” posted an alleged testimony from a nurse named “Maria,” who was reportedly diagnosed with Hepatitis B and was cured by drinking a specially formulated milk drink. 

The post includes a link to a website selling the product “Hepa Pro,” which can allegedly cure hepatitis. The website also displays a registration certificate, purportedly issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with the registration number FR-4000011793485.

As of writing, the post dated January 2 has already garnered 13,000 reactions, 2,000 comments, and 1,700 shares. 

The facts: PGH does not endorse the supposed cure for hepatitis. Both the post and the Facebook page are fake. 

The hospital’s official Facebook page is named “University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital,” and has 134,000 likes and 142,000 followers as of writing. In a statement released in December 2024, UP-PGH reminded the public that the hospital does not endorse any medical product or equipment. 

“Hindi po kami nag-eendorso ng anumang gamot o medical equipment. Ang aming mga serbisyo ay nakatuon lamang sa pagbibigay ng atensyong medikal na maaaring ma-access sa pamamagitan ng telemedicine at on-site consultations,” the hospital said.

(We do not endorse any medication or medical equipment. Our services are solely focused on providing medical attention accessible through telemedicine and on-site consultations.)

“Pinapaalalahanan po ang lahat na ang iba pang Facebook o social media accounts na nagpapakilalang kinatawan ng PGH ay peke at hindi konektado sa amin,” it added. 

(We remind everyone that other Facebook or social media accounts claiming to represent PGH are fake and not connected to us.)

It also released an advisory in July 2024 warning against a similar page maliciously using the name of the hospital. 

Dubious details: The supposed testimony names Dr. Gerardo D. Legaspi as a liver specialist. He is a neurologist at PGH.

Additionally, a photo shared in the misleading post’s comment section has been manipulated to make it appear that doctors are holding the product’s FDA registration certificate. However, Rappler found that the original photo was taken during the launch of the Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework 2024-2028 in October 2023. The photo’s background was altered to show the event backdrop of the International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress held in October 2024 at a hotel in Taguig.

Fake FDA registration certificate: The link posted in the caption leads to a website for interested customers to buy the milk product “Hepa Pro.” However, the FDA registration number indicated in the attached certificate belongs to another milk product called “Glufarelin Gold” which is marketed to diabetics. A similar product bearing the name “HepaPro” is registered with the FDA but bears a different product registration number. 

The website also featured testimonials from alleged customers. One supposed testimonial was by an individual named “Richard Manalo” but the photo used was of entrepreneur Carl Balita, owner of a review center.

Fake Facebook page: The fake UP-PGH Facebook shows inconsistencies in the information provided in its bio, further highlighting its illegitimacy.

Aside from the misspelled name of the hospital, the page uses a falsified profile picture that places Facebook’s blue verified checkmark within the photo itself instead of outside the circular frame. Its bio also says that it has 35 million likes and 43 million followers, yet the page itself only shows 2,100 likes and 2,300 followers as of this writing.

The transparency section shows that the page was created in 2021 and was initially named “Anything.” It was only renamed to “PGH-Philippin General Hospital News” on November 10, 2023, the same date its profile picture and cover photo were changed to the logo and image of UP-PGH. Around this time, the page also began sharing content published by the University of the Philippines and its affiliated pages.

Rappler has previously exposed pages impersonating various individuals and organizations that share suspicious links:

• FACT CHECK: Facebook post contains fake link for DOH application
• FACT CHECK: Cardinal David not endorsing milk to control cholesterol levels
• FACT CHECK: Facebook posts contain fake SIM registration links
• FACT CHECK: Facebook post contains fake link for BFP job application

 – Jerry Yubal Jr./Rappler.com 

Jerry Yubal Jr. is a graduate of Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2023-2024. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

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.