Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY 
DRUGSTORES IN EVERY BARANGAY, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"BOTIKA NG BARANGAY" 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution provides, among others, that “the State shall 
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development 
which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social 
services available to all people at affordable cost.” 
Health care and services remain inaccessible to some people 
especially the poor and those situated at the countryside. Drugstores are 
often non-existent in barangays outside of town proper and most of those 
who do not have community drugstores are thus deprived of the liberty to 
access basic drugs and medicines when they are in need. 
The Department of Health (DOH) currently implements a Botika ng 
Barangay (BNB) system where drug outlets are managed by a legitimate 
community organization, a non-government organization, or the Local 
Government Unit (LGU), with a trained operator and supervising 
pharmacist. 
The BNBs under this existing program serve as drug outlets wherein 
primary, non-prescription generic drugs listed in the Philippine National 
Drug Formulary (PNDF) and selected prescription    drugs  (Cotrimoxazole, 
Amoxicillin, 
Metoprolol, 
Captopril, 
Metformin, 
Glibenclamide 
and 
Salbutamol) are sold or made  available.1 
1 Department of Health. https://doh.gov.ph/faqs/What-is-Botika-ng-Barangay-BnB  
July 27, 2022
3:16 pm
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In these BNBs, drugs and medicines ought to be 50-70% cheaper 
compared to leading brands.2 
 
Despite these best efforts, the current environment plagued by public 
health challenges demand that the BNB program be expanded and 
institutionalized to serve more Filipinos in need of basic medicines. 
 
This bill seeks to improve the Filipinos’ access to medicines by 
establishing a community drugstore in every barangay in the country, to be 
known as the Botika ng Barangay. The proposed Botika ng Barangay shall 
offer the essential medicines listed by the Philippine National Drug 
Formulary. In addition, the Department of Health is tasked to prioritize the 
establishment of Botika ng Barangay in economically-depressed barangays. 
 
Through this initiative, we are giving the less fortunate better chances 
of survival from curable ailments, thereby contributing to the improvement 
of their holistic well-being. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
                                               
2 Department of Health. https://doh.gov.ph/faqs/How-much-cheaper-are-BnB-drugs-compared-to-drugs-in-
the-market  


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY 
DRUGSTORES IN EVERY BARANGAY, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"BOTIKA NG BARANGAY" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Botika ng 
Barangay Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them. Towards this 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.  
SECTION 3. Botika ng Barangay. - The Department of Health shall, 
within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act, undertake a three-
year program for the establishment of barangay drugstores or Botika ng 
Barangay (BNB) in every barangay, giving priority to barangays on the 
basis of population, poverty incidence, extent of medical 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 national 
plans and policies on social services, health and medical care. 
SECTION 4. Establishment Priority. - The Department of Health (DOH) 
shall, in the establishment of the BNB, undertake prior consultations 
with the Municipal Development Council concerned; Provided, That in 
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the establishment of the BNB, highest priority shall be given to those 
economically depressed barangays. Existing BNBs shall be maintained 
and shall be covered by relevant provisions of this Act.  
 
SECTION 5. Drugs Available. - The BNB 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 
available to the public.  
 
SECTION 6. Botika ng Barangay Aide. - Sale of medicines at the BNB 
shall be facilitated by an aide, known as the Botika ng Barangay Aide, 
who shall be chosen by and trained under the direction of the 
Municipality or City Health Office, in close coordination with the Punong 
Barangay and head of the Barangay Health Center. 
 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. – The Secretary 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 awareness of the BNB through its personnel, non-
governmental organizations, barangay official and the print and 
broadcast media.  
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or any part 
thereof shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions, 
as far as they are separable, shall remain in force and effect. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
is hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
 
Approved,