ACTRESS-HOST Mariel Rodriguez apologized to the Senate and the public for receiving a Vitamin C drip in the office of her husband, Senator Robin Padilla.
After receiving flak on social media, Rodriguez, in a stated posted on Facebook, Rodriguez clarified that she received a Vitamin C drip and not a glutathione drip as earlier reported when she was at the Senate to visit her husband.
“Upang linawin, nakatanggap ako ng Vitamin C Drip, hindi Glutathione, sa ilalim ng medikal na pangangasiwa ng isang propesyonal na nars,” she said.
Rodriguez said she had the infusion to provide ‘inspiration’ to people that they can prioritize their health by taking vitamins wherever their location.
“Hindi ko kailanman intensyon na siraan o sirain ang integridad at dignidad ng Senado. Nais kong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong paghingi ng tawad sa lahat ng kinauukulan, kasama na ang mga miyembro at kawani ng Senado at ang publiko. Itinataguyod natin ang dignidad at integridad ng Senado,” she added.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reiterated that it opposes the use of glutathione, stressing that that there were no published clinical trials that have evaluated the use of injectable glutathione for skin lightening, as well as guidelines for appropriate dosing regimens and duration of treatment.
The DOH also said that injectable glutathione is only approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunct treatment in cisplatin chemotherapy, and that the FDA has not approved any injectable products for skin lightening.
Even as Rodriguez clarified that she only received Vitamin C drip, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, citing an FDA advisory, warned that it may also cause health risks to recipients.
