FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Nineteen years ago the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 6675, otherwise known 
as the Generics Act of 1988, which sought to promote, require, and ensure the labeling, 
prescribing, and dispensing of medicines using their generic names. But after almost two 
decades, the Generics Act has suffered from weak enforcement. 
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reported in 2006 that while 
consumers are familiar with the generic names of popular over-the-counter branded 
medicines such as Tylenol (paracetamol) and Ponstan (mefenamic acid), people still do not 
ask for the generic equivalents. Surveys have indicated that many health care practitioners 
and patients are not aware that generic drug alternatives are available, or that the generic 
alternatives act the same way as the brand-name drugs -- that they are just as safe and 
effective. 
To address these problems, this bill seeks to increase public awareness of the 
existence of generic drugs and their efficacy. Drugstores, will be required to post in at least 
two conspicuous places a sign that informs buyers that "GENERIC DRUGS ARE 
CHEAPER, and must show the buyer a list of available generic equivalents of branded 
medicines, together with their corresponding prices. Moreover, each doctor's prescription 
must prominently indicate the generic name of every medicine prescribed. 
Finally, this bill seeks to exact stricter compliance with the Generics Act by 
increasing the penalties for its violation. Failure to inform the patient of the generic name of 
the drug, and failure to indicate the generic name on prescriptions shall mean a fine of at 
least 40,000 pesos and suspension of license for at least one year. Failure of drugstores to 
post a sign that says generic drugs are cheaper, and failure to show the buyer a list of 
available generic equivalents of branded medicines together with their corresponding prices 
carries a fine of at least 500,000 pesos plus suspension or revocation of license. The 
person directly responsible for the violation shall be fined at least 40,000 pesos and 
suspension or revocation of license to practice his profession, or imprisonment of 6 months 
to 1 year, or both fine and imprisonment at the c 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6675 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
GENERICS ACT OF 1988 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Represenfafives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6675, otherwise known as the Generics 
Act of 1988, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 5. Posting and Publication - The Department of Health shall 
publish annually in at least THREE (3) newspapers of general circulation in 
the Philippines the generic names, and the corresponding brand names under 
which they are marketed, of all drugs and medicines available in the 
Philippines." 
Sec. 2. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 6675, otherwise known as the Generics Act of 
1988, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 6. Who Shall Use Generic Terminology - (a) All government 
health agencies and their personnel as well as other government agencies 
shall use generic terminology or generic names in all transactions related to 
purchasing, prescribing, dispensing and administering of 
drugs and 
medicines. 
(b) All medical, dental and veterinary practitioners, including private 
practitioners, SHALL INFORM THE PATIENT OF THE GENERIC NAME OF 
THE DRUG PRESCRIBED AND shall write prescriptions INDICATING 
PROMINENTLY the generic name. The brand name may be included IN 
PARENTHESIS BESIDE THE GENERIC NAME if so REQUESTED. 
(c) Any organization or company involved in the manufacture, importation, 
repacking, marketing andlor distribution of drugs and medicines shall indicate 
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promotional materials. 
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adequately exercise, his option. 
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MURA ANG GENERIC'." 
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prominently the generic name of the product. In the case of brand name 
products, the generic name shall appear prominently and immediately above 
the brand name in all product labels as well as in advertising and other 
(d) Drug outlets, including drugstores, hospital and non-hospital pharmacies 
and non-traditional outlets such as supermarkets and stores, shall inform 
AND SHOW any buyer A LIST OF drug products having the same generic 
name, together with their corresponding prices, so that the buyer may 
The drug outlets referred to herein shall post in AT LEAST TWO (2) 
conspicuous places in their establishments, VISIBLE TO ALL BUYERS, a list 
of drug products with the same generic name and their corresponding prices, 
AND A SIGN THAT SAYS 'GENERIC DRUGS ARE CHEAPER OR 'MAS 
Sec. 3. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 6675, otherwise known as the Generics Act 
of 1988, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 11. Education Drive - The Department of Health jointly with the 
Department of Education, Culture and Sports, Philippine Information Agency 
and the Department of Local Government shall conduct a continuous 
information campaign for the public and a continuing education and training 
for the medical and allied medical professions on drugs with generic names 
as an alternative of equal efficacy to the more expensive brand name drugs. 
Such educational campaign shall include information on the illnesses or 
symptoms which each generically named drug is supposed to cure or 
alleviate, as well as its contraindications, AND SHALL EMPHASIZE THE 
EQUAL EFFICACY AND CHEAPER PRICE OF GENERIC DRUGS. The 
Department of Health with the assistance of the Department of Local 
Government and the Philippine Information Agency shall monitor the progress 
of the education drive, and shall submit ANNUAL reports to Congress." 
Sec. 4. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 6675, otherwise known as the Generics Act 
of 1988, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 12. Penalty - A) Any person who shall violate Section 6(a) or 
6(b) of this Act shall suffer the penalty OF FINE IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT 
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