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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo,__923

Introduced by HON. IRWIN C. TIENG, HON. MARIANO MICHAEL M.
VELARDE and HON. JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 12, Article of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: “The
State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the
family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of
the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.”

Cytotec or misoprostol is a drug originally created to treat ulcers. It
reduces stomach acid and replaces protective substances in the stomach that are
inhibited by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin. However,
it was later discovered that it was being used as abortifacent. In fact, in some
countries, it is used as an abortion pill. This prompted the Bureau of Food and
Drugs (BFAD) to issue in 1994 a memorandum circular limiting the sale and
dispensing of the drug to tertiary hospital pharmacies and big drugstore chains.
Afterwards, in 1998, the manufacturer of cytotec voluntarily withdrew the product
from the market, although reports reached the BFAD that the drug was still being
sold by sidewalk vendors.

Considering the danger and harm of using cytotec drug both to pregnant
women and the unborn children, this Bill seeks to prohibit and penalize the sale
and dispensing of said drug.

Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

WIN C. TIEN MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE

JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 923

Introduced by HON. IRWIN C. TIENG, HON. MARIANO MICHAEL M.
VELARDE and HON. JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.

AN ACT
TO PROHIBIT AND PENALIZE THE SALE AND DISPENSING OF CYTOTEC
OR MISOPROSTOL DRUG, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy.- It is the policy of the State to recognize
the sanctity of family life and to protect and strengthen the family as a basic
autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and
the life of the unborn from conception.

It is also the policy of the State to protect consumers from trade
malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products.

SECTION 2. Unlawful Act/s. — It shall be unlawful for any person to sell
and dispense, for whatever purpose and whatever manner, cytotec or misoprostol
drug.

SECTION 3. Penalties. -Any person who willfully or knowingly does or who
shall aid, permit, or cause to be done any of the acts declared to be unlawful in
the preceding section or any order issued thereunder, shall, upon conviction
thereof, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six years and a fine of not
less than P 50,000.00.

If the offender is a licensed professional, the concerned agency is hereby
mandated to sanction appropriate measures on the offender.

If the offender is an alien, he shall be subject to deportation proceedings,
after complying with the penalty of imprisonment and fine for such violation.

SECTION 4. - Any laws, decrees, ordinances or rules and regulations
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provision of this Act is hereby
amended or repealed.

SECTION 5. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,