Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Second Regular Session
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL No.. 7391

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EMI CALIXTO-RUBIANO

Explanatory Note

This bill seeks to establish a free medicine assistance program for the poor in
consonance with the 1987 Constitution which provides that “The State shall protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them’.

Social justice is caring for the poor, a continuing and sincere concern for the
underprivileged, and a genuine and serious effort to improve their quality of life.
Nowadays, there is a growing sentiment of the poor that they are being neglected by
the government. Many of them die of sickness not because their cases are terminal
but because they hardly afford the medicines necessary to restore their health. We
must, therefore, pursue the declared policy of the State to promote the right to health
and well-being of the people and to adopt a system of sustaining the delivery of free
medicines to those who have less in life, giving priority to the underprivileged, the
sick, the elderly, the disabled and the poorest of the poor.

The greatest wealth of a nation is its people. Thus, the government shall
ensure that no sick person will be deprived of his right to medical attention including
the supply of medicines despite his financial status. It is likewise mandated to reduce
social inequalities and provide medical care to the poor.

The “Free Medicines for the Poor Act” is an effective measure to counter the
inaccessibility of medicines to our underprivileged and impoverished populace. It
seeks to bridge the growing gap between health and poverty, by providing the poor
medicines that would help them remain healthy and productive individuals.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought

git

EMI CALIXTO-RUBIANO
Representative
Lone District of Pasay City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Second Regular Session
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

7391

HOUSE BILL No..

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EMI CALIXTO-RUBIANO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FREE BASIC MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN
ALL GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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 the “Free Basic Medicine
Assistance Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health and well-being of every Filipino to adopt a
‘system of implementing the delivery of free basic medicines to those who have less
in life in all health facilities in the country, giving priority to the underprivileged, ailing,
malnourished, elderly, women and children, disabled, and the poorest of the poor.

Section 3. Objectives. — This Act pursues the following objectives:

a) to promote optimal health and well-being of every Filipino by improved access
to medicines; and

b) to address the health needs of marginalized sectors such as the poor,
malnourished, the elderly, women, children and disabled by the establishment
of a Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program in all government facilities
nationwide.

Section 4. Establishment of Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program. — There
shall be established a Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program, hereinafter referred
to as the “Libreng Gamot Program”, to be administered by the Department of Health
(DOH) through government district hospitals, local health units and barangay health
centers in all cities and municipalities, in coordination with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD).


Section 5. Eligible Beneficiaries. - The Libreng Gamot Program shall be
restricted to qualified poor recipients as certified by the barangay and DSWD
Officials.

Section 6. Availment of Free Basic Medicines. — Free basic medicines shall be
made available in all government district hospitals, barangay health centers, and
local health units. These health units shall account for all the medicines released to
qualified beneficiaries through the submission of quarterly reports to the Department
of Health

Section 7. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Health.
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 8. Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, in coordination with the DSWD, and
in consultation with the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act
within six (6) months from the effectivity hereof.

Section 9. Separability Clause. — \f any part or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected
shall continue to be in full force and effect

Section 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,