| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS Date: 95 JUL 2018
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES. IMF. EE ? Ep
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
1180 REGISTRATION Lit
House Bill No
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE PIA S. CAYETANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill designates every third week of November as “National Consciousness
Week Against Counterfeit Medicines” in order to draw and raise public attention and
awareness about counterfeit medicines and the urgency to control its proliferation.

The proliferation of counterfeit medicines is a serious public health concern not
only in the Philippines but worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that
“counterfeiting of medicines is present in all countries and is thought to represent 10% of
the global medicines trade,”’ In 2009, 20 million pills, bottles and sachets of counterfeit
and illegal medicines were seized in a five-month operation across China and south-east
Asia.’ The Food and Drug Administration estimates that a total of PS.9-million worth of
unregistered and counterfeit medicines were seized in the country in 2015 as of October
of the same year.®

Despite the passage of Republic Act No, 8203 or the "Special Law on Counterfeit
Drugs,” this serious threat to public health continues to exist and may potentially harm
thousands of Filipinos.

An individual who takes a counterfeit drug may be at risk for a number of
dangerous health consequences, including death. With counterfeits, patients may
experience unexpected side effects, allergic reactions, or worsening of their medical
condition that could result in death

This bill mandates a comprehensive public education and aware program on
counterfeit medicines to help enlighten people about this serious concern and push for
the strict implementation of the laws aimed to curb the proliferation of counterfeit
medicines. A focal point of this program is an information campaign about the
importance of protecting Filipinos from the harmful effects of counterfeit medicines.

For the health and protection of our people, immediate approval of this bill is
sought.

hs § Caplan
PIA S. CAYETANO
* http: Jwww.who.intimediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr09/en!
*. ttp/Awww.who .int/bulletin/volumes/88/4/10-020410/en!

5 http://www. sunstar.com, phimanilafiocal-news/2015/11/23/doh-sounds-alarm-over-fake-medicine-
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 1180

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE PIA S. CAYETANO

AN ACT
DECLARING EVERY THIRD WEEK OF NOVEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS
“NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK AGAINST COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES”

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 “National Consciousness
Week Against Counterfeit Medicines Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - In line with the principles and mandates set by the
Philippine Constitution that "the State shall protect and promote the right to health of
the people and instill health consciousness among them’ (Article 2, Section 15) and
that ‘the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development” (Article 13, Section 11), the third week of November of every year
throughout the Philippines shall be known under the name of “National Counterfeit
Medicines Consciousness Week."

SEC. 3. Public Education and Awareness Program. ~ To ensure the meaningful
observance of the week as herein declared, a comprehensive public education and
awareness program shall be undertaken on the proliferation and dangers of
counterfeit medicines which poses detrimental effects to health of patients, The
program shall specifically discuss the sources, common characteristics, and effects
of counterfeit medicines, including the urgent need for reporting of incidents to the
Bureau of Food and Drugs and the strict enforcement of R.A. 8203, otherwise known
as "The Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs.”

SEC. 4, Inter-Agency and Multi-Sectoral Effort. — The Department of Health shall
lead in the implementation of the comprehensive public education and awareness
program on counterfeit medicines through a collaborative inter-agency and multi-
sectoral effort at all levels. It shall particularly ensure widespread and expeditious
public information about the proliferation and dangers of counterfeit medicines

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,