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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ) - as ae

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) - S

First Regular Session ) <h ae
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez _
House Bill No. 2843

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill provides for the establishment of barangay drugstores or Botika 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 botikas service less than 10 percent of the country’s 41,943 barangays.

This bill aims to remedy the limited number of botikas 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 Botika 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.

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RUFUS B. Rt

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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

roduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
2843

House Bill No.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY DRUGSTORES, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS “BOTIKA SA BARANGAY” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION. 1. Title. — This Act shall be known and cited as the “Botika 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. Botika sa Barangay. — The Department of Health shall, within thirty (30) days after
the approval of this Act, undertake a three (3)- year program for the establishment of
barangay drugstores or botika 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 concerned:
Provided, That in the establishment of the BSB, highest priority shall be given to those
‘economically depressed barangays.

SEC. 5. 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 available to the public.

SEC. 6. Botika sa Barangay Aide. ~ Sale of medicines at the BSB shall be facilitated by an
aide, known as the Botika 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 awareness 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,