FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 374 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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.JUt -6 1';:1 il 
Article XIII, Section 12 of the Constitution provides for the establislunent and maintenance of an 
effective food and drug regulatory system. It also emphasized the role of the State to undertake 
appropriate health, manpower development, and research that works for the advantage of the 
people. 
With recent reports about the threats brought about by the products entering the country, it could 
not be concealed that the Filipino consumers need more protection from the goverument. 
Laws in the United States deem a drug to be misbranded unless the labeling of such drug lists the 
identity of the country of manufacture of each active ingredient and each inactive ingredient of 
the drug, which is listed in descending order based on the percentage of the number of such 
ingredient in the final dosage form manufactured in such countries. 
A law that guards the citizens of our country from potential risks caused by medications from 
other countries is a necessity. Labeling, for one, can provide information concerning possible 
damage of imported medicines to consumers. 
Intending to improve the labeling standards in view of protecting the health of Filipino citizens, 
this bill intends to require country of origin labeling on prescription and over-the-counter drugs. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
~No. 374 
Introduced by Senat~r Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
TO REQUIRE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING ON PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-
THE-COUNTER DRUGS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Transparency in Drug 
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Labeling Act". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to endeavor 
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services that are responsive to the health needs and problems of all citizens in the country. 
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SEC. 3. Country of Origin Labeling for Drugs. - Labeling on prescription and over-the-
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counter drugs shall be required of the following: 
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a) The identity of the manufacturing country of each active ingredient of the drug, listed 
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in descending order based on the percentage of the number of active ingredients in the 
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final dosage form manufactured in such countries. 
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b) The identity of the manufacturing country of each inactive ingredient of the drug, 
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listed in descending order based on the percentage of the number of inactive 
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ingredients in the final dosage form manufactured in such countries. 
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SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be found to 
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be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such declaration shall 
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remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent with the 
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
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its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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