HOUSE °F REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) paTe:_18 AUG 2018
OF THE PHILIPPINES ) =
First Regular Session ) sTIMe:__ S'S Bm
BY: Tod,
HOUSE OF EERE ‘TATIVES
HB No 3017 -
REGISTRATION UNIT
~ {BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PREPARE AND PUBLISH ANNUALLY A
CONSUMER GUIDE TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES

EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 11, provides:

‘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 the people at affordable cost.

Republic Act No. 9502, also known as the “Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality
Medicines Act of 2008,” Section 2 states:

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect public
health and when the public interest or circumstances of extreme urgeney so require, it
shall adopt appropriate measures to promote and ensure access to affordable quality drugs
and medicines for all,

This bill seeks to direct the Department of Health to prepare and publish an annual
consumer guide for the suggested retail prices of prescription drugs,

A guide which indicates the suggested retail prices of drugs will help the consumers
determine the effectiveness of prescription drugs and therapies. This will enable the buyer to

adequately exercise his option by giving him sufficient information about the prices of other drug
products available in the market.'

HARRY L. ROQUE JR.

' This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. and refiled by
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in the Sixteenth Congress, Third Regular Session,


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

HOUSE oF Represaya VES

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PREPARE AND PUBLISH
ANNUALLY A CONSUMER GUIDE TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES

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 the “Prescription Drug Consumer

Information Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to ensure the adequate
supply of prescription drugs at the lowest possible cost. As embodied in the Constitution, the
State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential foods, health and other social services available to all people at

affordable cost.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. ~ For purposes of this Act, the term:
(1) “Consumer Guide” means the listing of suggested retail prices of prescription drugs;
and

(2) “Department” means the Department of Health;


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1 SECTION 4. Preparation of Consumer Guide. — The Department shall prepare and

2 publish a consumer guide to prescription drug prices.

3 SECTION 5. information in the Consumer Guide. — The consumer guide shall contain:

4 (1) A list of the suggested retail prices of all prescription drugs in an easy-to-understand
5 format organized by therapeutic category; and

6 (2) Such other related information as the Department determines will assist (A)
7 consumers in reducing expenses for prescription drugs; and (B) health care providers in
8 determining the cost-effectiveness of prescription drugs as compared to other prescription drugs

9 and to other therapies

10 SECTION6. Publication. - The Department shall publish the first consumer guide within
11 one year after the date of the effectivity of this Act and shall publish an updated version of the

12 consumer guide annually thereafter.

13 SECTION 7. Availability of Consumer Guide. ~ The Department shall publish the
14 consumer guide on its website. It shall also provide for the dissemination of the consumer guide
1s widely to consumers of prescription drugs and health care providers; and encourage
16 organizations representing senior citizens, health care consumers, and health care professionals

17 to make the consumer guide available to the members of the organizations.

18 SECTION 8. Authorization of Appropriations. ~ To carry out the provisions of this Act,

19 there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year


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1 SECTION 9. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
2 unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions

hereof.

4 SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions
5 thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or

6 — modified accordingly.

7 SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. ~This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

8 publication in the Official Gazeue or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,