FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House BiINo, 718

Introduced by Representative Rufus 8. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo 8. Rodriguez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill provides for the establishment of barangay drugstores or Botica sa
Barangay in every barangay in the country to provide access to adequate and
affordable medicines.

Since its establishment in 2003, the Botika ng Barangay Program of the
Department of Health has 8,525 outlets all over the country, providing access to low-
priced generic over-the-counter drugs and five medicated drugs. On the other hand,
as of the 2007, there are 26,386 drugstores under the supervision of the Bureau of
Food and Drugs. Clearly, the established boticas service less than 10 percent of the
country’s 41,943 barangays.

This bill aims to remedy the limited number of boticas in the Philippines by
making it mandatory for the Department of Health to establish public drug stores in
each and every barangay in the country and offer drugs included in the “core list’ of
the National Drug Formulary such as analgesics, anticonvulsants, anti-migraine and
antipyretics. Areas which have high poverty and population rates and limited medical
and/or health services will be prioritized. Other factors to be considered are the
geographical and socio-economic conditions of the areas. The highest priority will be
given to the economically depressed areas. Existing public drug stores in the area
shall be maintained and covered by this proposed measure,

Finally, this bill guarantees the safety in the sale of medicines through the
supervision of a Botica sa Barangay aide to be chosen and trained under the
direction of the Department of Health.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought,

veame Me os JR.



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS, )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES =)
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House BiINo. ‘716

Introduced by Representative Rufus 8. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo 8. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY DRUGSTORES,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “BOTICA $A BARANGAY” AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION. 4. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the “Botica sa
Barangay Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Towards his
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.

SEC. 3. Botica sa Barangay. - The Department of Health shall, within thirty
(30) days after the approvel of this Act, undertake a three (3)- year program for the
establishment of barangay drugstores or botica sa barangay (BSB) in every
barangay, giving priority to barangays on the basis of population, poverty incidence,
extent of medical and health care and/or services, geographical conditions, financial
and other socio-economic factors and such other considerations as may be deemed
necessary in undertaking the program within the context of the national plans and
policies on social services, health and medical care.

SEC. 4, Establishment Priority. - The Department of Health shall, in the
establishments of the BSB, undertake prior consultations with the Municipal
Development Council concemed: Provided, That in the establishment of the BSB,
highest priority shall be given to those economically depressed barangays.

SEC, 8. Drugs Available. - The BSB shall make available, only those drugs
included in the “core list’ of the national drug formulary, and the names thereof listed
in their respective generic and trade names made availabie to the public.

SEC. 6. Botica sa Barangay Aide. ~ Sale of medicines at the BSB shall be
facilitated by an aide, known as the Botica sa Barangay Aide, who shall be chosen
by and trained under the direction of the DOH,


SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. - The Department of Health
shall issue the necessary rules and guidelines 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 awereness of the BSB through
its personnel, non-governmental organization, barangay official and the print and
broadcast media

SEC. 8 Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees and other
executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,