REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1505

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO.

Explanatory Note

Many of our countrymen die not because sickness is incurable per se, but because they do not
city to avail necessary medication and proper medical attention to restore their
usually attributed to high-priced medicines and hospitalization, and poverty in
general. Specifically, the costs of medicine have been exorbitant, making it impossible for
many underprivileged Filipinos to afford.

‘The government should not remain indifferent and should bear the responsibility of
addressing this given situation. As stated in Article II, Section 15 of the 1897 Constitution,
“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.” Thus, direct support from the government could be done to help
and ease the burden of our citizens who suffer sickness, and on top of that, poverty.

This measure seeks to ensure that free basic medicine is available and accessible to meet the
needs of marginalized sectors such as the poor, sick, disabled, elderly, children and women. It
is proposed that a free basic medicine assistance program be implemented in all government
hospitals, local health units and barangay health centers nationwide. This intends to address
the inaccessibility of medicines among the impoverished populace, most especially those
living in far-flung areas.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

. ALEJANO


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 1505

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

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:

1 SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "The Free Basic

2 Medicine Assistance Act".

4 Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the
5 State to protect and promote the right to health and well-being of every Filipino
6 and to adopt a system of implementing the delivery of free basic medicines to
7 those who have less in life in all health facilities in the country, giving priority to
8 the underprivileged, ailing, malnourished, elderly, women, children, and the
9

poorest of the poor

10
a Sec.3. Objectives. This Act pursues the following objectives
2 (a) To promote optimal health and well-being of every Filipino by

13 improved access to medicines; and

14 (b) To address the health need of the marginalized sectors such as the poor,
15 malnourished, elderly, women, children and the disabled through the
16 establishments of a Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program in all government

17 health facilities nationwide.

19 Sec.4, Establishment of Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program.-

20 There shall be established a Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program, hereinafter


wows

10
n
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

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 if Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

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

officials

Sec.6 Availment of Free Basic Medicine. — Free basic medicines shall be
made available in all government district hospitals, local health units and barangay
health centers. These health facilities shall account for all the medicines released

to qualified beneficiaries through the submission of quarterly reports to the DOH.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. ~ The amount needed for the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DOH. Thereafte,
such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall

be included in the annul General Appropriations Act

Sec.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 hereof.

Sec.9. Separability Clause. If any part or provisions of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not

affected shall continue to be in full force and effect

See.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.

Sec.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,