At least two Facebook (FB) pages have shared false ads for a product that purportedly can treat sinusitis and other ailments. This product is neither registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor recommended by the doctor featured in the video.
The ad, which began circulating last March, provides a link to the product’s website (nose care store) Netizens can fill out delivery orders to receive discounted products. The website features photos and reviews from doctors, including cardiologist Willie Ong and his GP wife Liza Ramoso-Ong.
The video ad features licensed physician Kilimanjaro Tiwaquen, also known as Dr. Kilimanguru, discussing nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis. What follows is a clip and narration about “Sinusolution” softgels, which promise to treat sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps quickly and without side effects.
The advertisement is false and the product is not an FDA-registered drug or dietary supplement.
Tiwaquen does not promote Sinusolution. The original video he uploaded on March 14, 2022, was edited to add a narration clip to highlight the product.
Tiwaquen has never posted information about the softgels on his official Facebook page. (Please read “Dr. Kilimanguru” Disapproves of Dried Fruit Cereal)
The website also fabricated purported expert comments by Ong and Ramoso-Ong. The cardiologist reminded the public in a May 7 video that they only endorse dairy products for seniors. Other advertisements for pharmaceuticals or food supplements using their photos and names are false. (Read Cardiologist Willie Ong’s False Advertising Warning Has Changed to Promote Barley Grass)
Some netizens continued to interact with the five-month-old post, with many asking for product details in the comments section.
VERA File Fact Check continues to flag false advertising that leverages the identities of health experts and celebrities to promote unregistered treatments. (Read Heart Supplement Ad Deceptively Uses Virgil’s Name)
An investigation into these false advertisements is currently ongoing. Special Adviser to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Tony Litchin, recently filed a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation, alleging that he was using his professional identity without authorization to promote unproven health products. (Read the fake story about joint disease treatment published by the fake “CNN Philippines” website)
Last July, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also called for an investigation into the same issue.
Fake upload of FB page advertisements sinus congestion v2 (Created on January 18, 2023) and Nose protection points (December 2, 2022) Received a total of 12,638 reactions, 2,162 comments, 1,072 shares, and 793,000 views.
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(Editor’s note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to combat the spread of misinformation. Learn more about this partnership and our method.)