Republic of the Philippines
HOUSH 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
4,'
House Bill No.
9009
INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE "BONG" J. TEVES, JR.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to a report of philippine Institute for Development Studies in 2017, Filipinos
remains to have uneven access to medicines due to poverty and lack of doctors. It recommended
that  the  government  strengthen  and  expand the  local  medicine  markets  in the  countryside
especially  in the  far-flung  areas  in order to  close  the  gap  of unavailable  and  unaffordable
medicines to the public.
In 2016, under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Bo/z.ke 77g
B¢);cz7drBczrcr#gr}; (BNB) was revived as a program of the Department of Health (DOH)I.   It
aims to improve access to medicines and health services which is in line with the goals of the
Universal Health Care. The BNB program was initially established in 2003 and the DOH had
an estimate of eight thousand (8,000) outlets across the Philippines, providing access to low-
priced generic over-the-counter medicines.
However,  since it is only a progran of the national government, its implementation
varies from administration to administration. In order to establish its certainty,  there is a need
to  institutionalize  the  BNB  program through  legislation.  There  has  been efforts  from  past
Congresses to pass the said legislation but unfortunately it was never enacted into law.
]https://pharma.doh.gov.ph/fourmula-one-plus-botika-ng-bayan-fl-plus-bnb-and-botika-ng-bayani-fl-plus-
bnbi-program/


Under the  1987 Constitution, "the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other
social services available to all people at affordable cost."
Thus, this proposed measure seeks to help our fellow countrymen to have easy access
to medicines through the establishment of Bo/z.ha 72g Bczrczngcz)/s throughout the country. The
said BNBs shall provide medicines which are listed by the Philippine National Drug Formulary
and other medicines as may be prescribed by the Department of Health as essential.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly
HON. JOS
ught.
ONG" J. TEVES, JR.
Deputy Majority Leader
Representative, TGP Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
'`'HouseBillNo.      9009
INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE "B0NG" J. TEVES, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY DRUGSTORES,
OTHERWISH KNOWN AS THE "B0TIKA NG BARANGAY"
Be  it  enacted by  the  Senate  and the  House  of Representatives  of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as "Botika ng Barangay Act".
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the right to
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Towards this end, the State
shall provide adequate social services and endeavor to make essential goods, health and other
social services available to every barangay at affordable cost.
SHCTI0N 3. Botiha ng Barangay. - The Department of Health shall, within sixty
(60) days after the approval of this Act, undertake a three-year program for the establishment
of barangay drugstores or Botika ng Barangay (BNB) in every barangay, giving priority to
barangays on the basis of population, poverty  incidence,  extent of medical health care and
services,  geographic  conditions,  financial  and other socio-economic  factors and  such other
considerations as may be deemed necessary in undertaking the program within the context of
national plans and policies on social services, health and medical care.


SHCTION 4. Hstablishment Priority. -The DOH shall, in the establishment of BNB,
undertake prior consultations with the Municipal Development Council concerned; Provz.c7ec7,
that in the establishment of the BNB, highest priority shall be given to economically depressed
barangays. Existing BNBs shall be maintained and shall be covered by relevant provisions of
this Act.
SECTION 5. Drugs Available. -The BNB shall make available, only those medicines
included in the "core list" of the National Drug Formulary, and the names thereof listed in their
respective generic and trade names made available to the public.
SECTION 6. Botika ng Barangay Aide. - Sale of medicines at the BNBs shall be
facilitated by an aide, known as the Botika ng Barangay Aide, who shall be chosen by and
trained under the direction of the Municipality or City Health Offlce, in close coordination with
the Punong Barangay and head of the Barangay Health Center.
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health shall
issue the necessary rules and regulations as may be needed to fully implement the provisions
of this Act. In addition, the DOH shall also embark on a sustained promotional campaign to
increase the community's awareness of the BNBs through its personnel, barangay officials and
the media.
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provisions of
this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be
affected thereby.
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. -Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modifled, or amended accordingly.
SECTION  10.  Effectivity.  -This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
publication in at least two (2) national papers of generical circulation or Official Gazette.
Approved,