HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVI
RECEIVED

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ) Dave: 30 JUN 2016
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) tw: 42 30,
First Regular Session ) ey oa

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

504

House Bill No. __

TON UNIT |
LX SERVICE

Introduced by Representative Victor A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The 1987 Constitution provides that ‘The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the
‘people and instill health consciousness among them”. The greatest wealth of a nation is its people. Thus, the
‘government must ensure that, regardless of financial status, no one will be deprived of the right to
medical attention- including medicines. In consonance with this, providing free medicines to the
poor is an important step forward in improving health care throughout the Philippines.

Social justice demands that those with less in life should have more under the law hence,
government must have a continuing and sincere concern for the underprivileged and undertake a
sustained and substantial effort to improve their quality of life. There is a growing sentiment among
the poor that they are being neglected by the government.

Pharmaceuticals ate expensive in the Philippines in comparison to prices in neighboring
countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Since 1985, the price of drugs increased faster
than the consumer price index. In the policy debate, pharmaceutical companies have stressed cost
and quality differences to explain observed price differences. On the other hand, advocates of public
intervention have emphasized international and local monopolistic pricing practices. Suffice it to say,
despite the law on generic medicines, and parallel importation initiatives, the Philippines continues
to suffer from insufficient access to low cost, safe, and quality essential medicines.

‘The “Free Medicines for the Poor Act” is an effective measure to counter the inaccessibility
of medicines to our underprivileged and impoverished populace. This measure secks to bridge the

growing gap between health and poverty, by providing the free quality medicines.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ho

VICTOR Aly.
Representative, 2" Djstrict of Tarlac


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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House BillNo,__004

Introduced by Representative Victor A. Yap

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING A FREE BASIC MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN ALL.
GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Basic Medicine
Assistance Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health and well-being of every Filipino and to adopt a system of implementing
the delivery of free basic medicines to those who have less in life in all health facilities in the
country, giving ptiotity to the underprivileged, ailing, malnourished, elderly, women, children,
disabled, and the poorest of the poor,

SEC. 3. Objectives, - This Act pursues the following objectives:

(a) To promote optimal health and well-being of every Filipino by improved access to

medicines; and

(b) To address the health needs of the marginalized sectors such as the poor, malnourished,
elderly, women, children and the disabled through the establishment of a Free Basic Medicine
‘Assistance Program in all government health facilities nationwide.

SEC. 4. Establishment of Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program. - ‘There shall be
established a Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program, hereinafter referred to as the "Libreng
Gamot Progtam'", to be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) through govermnent
district hospitals, local health units and barangay health centers in all cities and municipalities, in
coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

SEC. 5. Eligible Beneficiaries. - The Libreng Gamot Program shall be restricted to
qualified poor recipients as certified by the barangay and the DSWD officials.

SEC. 6. Availment of Free Basic Medicines. - Free basic medicines shall be made
available in all government district hospitals, local health units and barangay health centers. These
health facilities shall account for all the medicines released to qualified beneficiaries through the

submission of quarterly reports to the DOH.


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SEC. 7. Appropeiations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary
for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC, 8. Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, in coordination with the DSWD and in
consultation with the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), shall promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act within six (6) months from the
effectivity hereof.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to
be in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All taws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC, 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take efleet fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved.