Manila: Taking supplements and low-quality maintenance medicines may harm heart disease treatment, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) said Wednesday. PHA Council on Pharmacotherapy Connie Sison emphasized the importance of consulting a physician before individuals with cardiovascular issues take any medications or supplements alongside their prescribed maintenance medicines. According to Philippines News Agency, Sison highlighted the potential risks of drug interactions, including those involving supplements, which are often mistakenly perceived as safe. "Meron tayong tinatawag na (We have what we call) drug interaction and that includes supplements and that is the misconception because people think they are supplements, then they are safe," she stated during a Usapang Puso sa Puso media episode. She warned that these interactions could render drugs less effective or even harmful. Citing that all drugs have effects on the body, Sison stressed that food supplements, poor-quality drugs, or counterfeit dru gs could exacerbate the side effects of heart medications a person is already taking. This issue has been underscored by recent warnings from the Food and Drug Administration about false endorsements of health products on social media and the sale of fake medicines, including paracetamol, in local sari-sari stores. The PHA advises the public to obtain medical drugs only through physician recommendations and from credible sources to prevent additional health issues. In alignment with the Department of Health's (DOH) National Consciousness Week against Counterfeit Medicine, the PHA urges all Filipinos to follow best practices when selecting medical drugs and health products to ensure they support cardiovascular and overall health.