Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No,_04377

Introduced by Honorable MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FREE MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
THE POOR AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The bill establishes a free medicine assistance program in a health district to
benefit only the underprivileged, the elderly, the disabled and the poorest of the poor
which shall be administered by the Department of Health, in coordination with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development

It is common knowledge that some of our countrymen die not because their
sickness is incurable, but due to lack of medicine or proper medical treatment or
assistance on account of poverty. In one study, it was stated that low income of poor
families and high prices of medicines at most commercial outlets reduce purchasing
power of the poor with respect to pharmaceutical products, leading to self-medication
and inadequate medical consultations and treatments of illnesses. In addition to the
lack of purchasing power of the poor, they further lack access to free and/or
subsidized medicines caused by: a) the poor’s lack of access to medical
professionals and medical facilities; b) the lack of health insurance coverage for the
poor and the indigents; and c) the lack of budget and inadequate systems and
procedures for government procurement of drugs and medicines in public facilities

Hence, the government cannot always remain indifferent to this reality. It must
offer some direct help somehow for the intended beneficiaries to feel its impact,

In this context, the bill seeks to address, starting with this approach, the
problem of lack of medicine, the cost of which is beyond the reach of many Filipinos
on account of poverty.


The proposed legislation is mandated by the Constitution that the State shall
protect and promote the right of the people to health (Sec 15, Article Il, Constitution)
and shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development
with the end view of making essential health services available to all the people at
affordable cost, giving priority to the needs of the underprivileged, the sick, the
elderly, the disabled and the women and children

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

40H VE a -

MARK A. VILLAR


aa

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO,_0437

Introduced by Honorable MARK A. VILLAR.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FREE MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
THE POOR AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Medicine for the
Poor Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the policy of the State to
promote the right to health and well-being of the people and to adopt a system of
effecting the delivery of free medicine to those who have less in life, giving priority to
the underprivileged, the sick, the elderly, the disabled and the poorest of the poor.

SEC, 3. Establishment of Free Medicine Assistance Program. There is
hereby established a Free Medicine Assistance Program, hereinafter referred to as.
the "Program," to be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) through its
authorized government hospital in each particular congressional district, to be known
as the health district, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).

SEC. 4. Eligible Beneficiaries.- The program shall be limited to eligible
beneficiaries to be identified by the DOH through the government hospital in the
health district in coordination with the DSWD. The implementing rules and
regulations shall see to it that the intended beneficiaries come from the ranks of the
poorest of the poor, the Program being strictly a poverty alleviation measure.


SEC. 5. Appropriations. - There is hereby appropriated the sum of Twenty
Million Pesos (P20,000,000.00) for each health district to fund the initial
requirements of this Act. The National Government shall subsequently include in the
budget of the Department of Health in the General Appropriations Act such amount
as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act.

SEC. 6 Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, jointly with the DSWD, shall
prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provision
of this Act within six (6) months from the effectivity hereof.

SEC. 7. Repealing clause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including
rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - \f any part or provision of this Act shall be held
to be unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect,

SEC. 9, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in one (1) national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,