FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
,-:, - i ;:' 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.NO. 3140 
(In substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 746 and 2163) 
Prepared by the Committees on Civil Service and Government Reorganization; and 
Finance, with Senators E.jercito-Estrada, Escudero, and Trillanes IV as authors thereof 
AN ACT 
REGULATING 
THE 
PRACTICE 
OF 
PHARMACY 
IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, 
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5921, THE PHARMACY 
LAW, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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ARTICLE I 
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GENERAL PROVISIONS 
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SECTIOIN 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Pharmacy Act of 
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2012". 
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SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. The State recognizes the vital role ofphannacists in quality 
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healthcare delivery through their services in providing safe, effective, and quality drugs or 
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medicines; drug information, patient medication counseling, and health promotion. 
The 
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pharmacists' professional service shall, therefore, be promoted as a component of the total 
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health care system, which shall ensure the physical well-being of the Filipinos. 
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I-Ience, the state shall develop and nnrture competent, productive, morally upright, and 
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well-rounded pharmacists whose standards of professional practice and service shall be 
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excellent, qualitative, world-class and internationally recognized, globally competitive through 
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regnlatory measures, programs, and activities that foster their continuing professional 
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development. 
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(a) 
(b) 
(0) 
(d) 
(e) 
(f) 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act provides for, and shall govem: 
(a) the standardization and regulation of phannacy education, 
(b) the examination for registration of graduates of schools and colleges of phannacy, 
(c) the supervision, control, and regulation of the practice ofphannacy in the 
Philippines, 
(d) the enhancement of professional competence through continuing professional 
development, research, and other related activities, and 
(e) the integration of the pharmacy profession. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
"Biopharmaceuiicals" are vaccines, sera and drugs derived from life forms using 
biotechnology. They include proteins, nucleic acids and living microorganisms 
like viruses and bacteria where the virulence is reduced by attenuation used for 
therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic purposes. 
"Brand Name" means the proprietary or trade name given by the manufacturer to 
distinguish its product £i'om those of the competitors; 
"Cipher" means a method of secret writing that substitutes other letters or characters for 
the letter intend cd or transpose the letter after arranging them in blocks or squares; 
"Code" means a system of words or other symbols arbitrarily used to represent words; 
"Compounding" is the preparation, mixing, assembling, packaging, or labeling of a drug 
(i) as the result of a prescription or drug order by a physician, dentist, optometrist, or 
veterinarian, based on the said practitioner-patient-pharmacist relationship in the course 
of professional practice, or (ii) for the purpose of, or in relation to, research, teaching, or 
chemical analysis; 
Cosmetics are substances or preparations intended to be placed in contact with the 
various external parts of the human body or with the teeth and the mucouS membranes of, 
the oral cavity, with a view exclusively or mainly to clean them or perfume them" 
changing their appearance and/or correcting body odor, andlor protecting the body or 
keeping them in good condition. (RA 9711); 
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(g) 
"Countelfeit drug/medicine/pharmaceutical" refers to medicinal products with the 
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correct ingredients but not in the amounts as provided, wrong ingredient, without active 
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ingredient/s, with insufficient quantity of active ingredient, which result in the reduction 
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of the drug's safety, efficacy, quality, strength or purity. It is a drug that is deliberately 
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and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to identity and/or source or with fake packaging, 
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and can apply to both branded and generic products. It shall also refer to: 
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the dmg itself or the container or labeling thereof or any parl of such dmg, 
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container, or labeling beat~ng without authorization the trademark, trade name 
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or other identification mark or imprint or any likeness to that which is owned or 
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registered in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in the name of another 
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natural or juridical person; 
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2) 
a drug product refilled in containers by unauthorized persons if the legitimate 
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labels or marks are used; 
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3) 
an imported drug product not registered with the Food and Dmg Administration 
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(FDA), except dlugs brought in the country for personal use as confinl1ecl and 
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justified by accompanying medical records; and 
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4) 
a chug which contains no amount of a different active ingredient or less than 
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eighty percent (80%) of the active ingredient it purports to possess as , 
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distinguished fj-0111 an adulterated dmg including reduction or loss or efficacy 
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due to expiration. 
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(h) 
"Dangerous drugs" include those listed in the Schednles annexed to the 1961 Single 
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Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 197 Protocol, and in the Schedules 
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aJU1exed to the 1971 Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances as enumerated in the 
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attached annex in Republic Act No. 9165, which is an integral pali of the Act; 
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(i) 
"Dispensing" is a process of reading, checking, and interpretation of prescription, 
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preparing, packaging, labeling, record keeping, and sale or transfer of dmgs atld 
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medicines with or without a prescdption or medication order which process includes 
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counseling and infonnation giving by or nnder supervision of a duly registered and 
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licensed pharmacist; 
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(j) 
(k) 
(1) 
(m) 
"Drugs and Medicines" refer to chemical compounds or biological substances, other 
than food, intended for use in the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of disease in humans 
or animals, including but not limited to: 
I) any article recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia,-National 
Formulary, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, Philippine 
Pharmacopoeia, Philippine National Dmg Formulary, British Pharmacopoeia, 
European Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopoeia, and any official compendium or 
any supplement to them; 
2) any article intended for use in diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of 
disease of man and animals; 
3) any article other than food intended to affect the stmcture or any function of the 
human body or animals; 
4) any article intended for use as a component of articles specified in clauses (1), (2), 
and (3) not including devices or their components, parts, accessories; and 
5) herbal and/or traditional dmgs which are articles of plant or animal origin used in folk 
medicine which are: (a) recognized in the Philippine National Dmg Formulary; (b) 
intended for use in the treatment, or cure or mitigation of disease symptoms, injury or 
body defects in humans; (c) other than food, intended to affect the structure or any 
function of the human body; (d) in finished or ready-to-use dosage form; and (e) 
intended for use as a component of any of the articles specifi.ed in clauses (a), (b), (c) 
or (d); 
"Drug or Pharmaceutical Laboratory or Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Laboratory" 
means an establishment where phannaceutical products, proprietary medicines, or 
pharmaceutical specialties are formulated, prepared, compounded, and standardized; 
"Drug Establishments" means FDA-registered companies involved in the manufacture, 
importation, repacking, and/or distribution of dmgs or medicines; 
"Drug Outlets" refer to dmgstores, pharmacies, and other business establislunents which 
are registered with the FDA and which legally sell dmgs and medicines; 
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(0) 
(P) 
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"Drugstore" or "Pharmacy" means a place or establishment licensed by FDA where f 
c!tugs, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, specialties, and devices are legally sold at , 
retail or wholesale and where medical, dental, and veterinary 
pr~scriptions are 
compounded and dispensed; 
"Emergency cases" refer to life-threatening situations where a patient needs 
immediate medical attention and treatment or the occurrence of an epidemic or 
natural calamities. 
"Expiration Date" means the date until which the manufacturer can guarantee a product 
to possess its claimed potency, efficacy, quality, and safety; and after which its sale or 
distribution is prohibited; 
"Filling" of a prescription refers to the act of dispensing or giving out of medicines in 
accordance with the prescriber's medication order or prescription; 
"Generic Name" means the scientifically and internationally recognized name of the 
active ingredienlis as approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); 
"Household Remedies" shall refer to any preparation containing pharmaceutical 
substances of common or ordinary use to relieve common physical ailments whieh may 
be dispensed without a medical prescription in original packages, bottles or containers, 
the nomenclature of which has been duly approved by FDA in the process ofregistratiol1 
as defined in FDA AO No.l1S (s. 1991); 
"Institutional pharmacies" are establishments which provide, within their prelTIlSeS, 
medicines to their employees and/or relatives either for free or at cost; 
"Label" means a display of written, printed or graphic information upon the immediate 
container, or attached to or accompanying any pharmaceutical products. 
"Labeling" means all labels and other written, printed, or graphic matter (I) upon any 
item or any of its containers or wrappers or (2) accompanying any such item; 
"Medical Devices" refer to any instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, implant, in 
vitro reagent or calibrator, software, material or other similar or related article: 
(a) intended by the manufacturer to be used, along or in combination, for human beings 
for one or more of the specific purpose(s) of: 
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(x) 
(y) 
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(aa) 
(bb) 
(cc) 
(dd) 
I) diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, alleviation of diseases of 
diseases; 
2) diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, alleviation of or compensation for an injury; 
3) investigation, replacement or modification or support of the anatomy of a 
physiological process; 
4) supporting or sustaining life; 
5) control of conception, 
6) disinfection of medical devices, 
7) providing information for medical or diagnostic purposes by means of an in 
vitro examination of specimen derived from the human body; and, 
(b) which does not achieve its primary intended action in or on the human body by 
phannacological, immunological or metabolic means, but which may be assisted in ! 
their intended fcmction by such means; 
"Non-traditional outlets" ~ other retail outlets licensed by FDA other than drugstores 
and pharmacies where drugs are made available in conjunction with the provisions of 
R.A.9502. 
"Online pharmacy" refers to any activity of taking orders for medicines online or thru 
the inte111et. 
"Over-tlte-counter drugs" are drugs used for symptomatic relief of minor ailments which 
may be dispensed without a prescription; 
"Pharmaceutical products or Pharmaceutical specialties" are drugs, preparations, or 
mixture of drugs under a brand or generic name and intended for the cure, mitigation, 
treatment, or prevention of disease in man or animals; 
"Pharmacist-only over-the-counter drugs" are FDA-classified over-the-counter drugs 
and/or substances which should only be obtained from a legitimate drugstore or 
pharmacy with mandatory pharmacist's advice on their selection and proper use; 
"Person" includes an individual, partnership, corporation, or any juridical entity; 
"Pharmaceutical marketing" means any activity undertaken, organized or sponsored by 
a drug establishment which is directed at promoting the prescription, recommendation, 
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(ee) 
(ff) 
(gg) 
(hh) 
(ii) 
(jj) 
(kk) 
(ll) 
supply, administration or constUnption of its pharmaceutical product(s) through dire(:t 
personal contact and all media, including the internet; 
"Phannacy Assistants" are persons who assist pharmacists in compounding 
and dispensing of medicines in community, hospital, industrial settings and in ! 
other activities, such as, but not limited to medical missions, under the ' 
supervision of the pharmacist and as described in Section 41 of this Act. 
Pharmacy aides! clerks are those who assist in other aspects of pharmacy 
operation. 
"Physician '0' samples" refer to medicines given to a physician for fi-ee for promotional 
purposes; 
"Prescription drugs" are those drugs which can only be dispensed by a pharmacist to a 
patient upon the presentation of a valid prescription from a physician, dentist, optometrist 
or veterinarian and for which phmmacist's advice on their proper use is necessary; 
"Professional Medical Representative or Company Sales Representative" is one who 
represents any duly authorized manufacturer, distributor, trader and wholesaler of dlUgs, 
pharmaceuticals, biologic products and devices, whose primary duty is to introduce said 
products to legitimate prescribers and which forms part of their program for promotion 
by describing its use, composition, action, dosage, administration, contraindication, 
advantages and other relevant information about the drugs being promoted; 
"Refilling" of a prescription refers to the act of dispensing or giving out the remaining 
balance of medicines ordered in the prescription when the whole quantity ordered is not 
yet completely filled; 
"Secret Keys" means a characteristic style or symbols kept fTOm the knowledge of others 
or disclosed confidentially to a few individuals; 
"Telepharmacy" is the provision of pharnlacy services utilizing electronic information 
and communication technology under the supervision of a phannacist; 
"Wholesaler" means every person who acts as merchant, broker or agent, who sells or 
distributes for resale pharmaceuticals, proprietary medicines 
01' pharmaceutical 
speCialties. 
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SEC. 5. El~fol'cement. -
The Professional Regulatory Board of Phannacy and the 
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Professional Regulation Commission are the bodi0s responsible for the implementation of the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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ARTICLE II 
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THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PHARMACY 
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SEC. 6. The Board of Pharmacy and its Composition. - There is hereby created a 
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Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the 
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administration, control, and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, herein after 
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referred to as the Commission, composed of a Chairman and two (2) members who shall be 
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appointed by the President of the Philippines from the recommendees ranked by the Commission 
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from the list of nominecs submitted by the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization 
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(AIPO) for Pharmacists. 
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SEC. 7. Qualifications of Board Members. - To be appointed as member ofthe Board of , 
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Pharmacy, a person shall be: 
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(a) A natural born citizen of the Philippines and a resident for at least five (5) years; 
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(b) A duly registered pharmacist, preferably a holder of a Master of Science in Pharmacy, or 
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its equivalent degree and has been in the practice of pharmacy for at least ten years; 
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(e) Of good moral character with a valid certificate of registration, valid professional 
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identification card and preferably with teaching experience; and preferably representing 
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each field of practice; 
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(d) At the time of appointment, not a member of the faculty or administrative office of any 
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school, college or university offering degree programs in pharmacy nor connected in a 
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review school or center; nor has any direct or indirect pecuniary interests in any school, 
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college, or any institution offering phannacy; and 
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(e) A member of good standing for at least five (5) years of the accredited integrated national 
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phannacy association but, at the time of nomination, not an officer or trustee thereof. 
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SEC. 8. Terll/ of Office of Board Members. - The chainnan and the members of the 
Board shall hold office for three (3) years after appointment or until their successors shall have 
been appointed and duly qualified; Provided, the incumbent Board members shall finish their 
terms to complete the membership of the Board. Provided, further, that the chainnan or any 
membcr may be re-appointed for another tem1 hut in no case shall he/she serve for more than six 
years. 
SEC. 9. Compensation of the Board of Pharmacy. - As provided for in R.A. No. 8981, 
known as the "PRC Modernization Act of 2000", the members of the Board shall receive 
allowances and benefits equivalent to at least two salary grades lower than the salary grade of the 
Connnissioner, while the chairman of the Board shall receive a monthly compensation 
equivalent to two steps higher than the members of the Board. The chairman and members shall 
be entitled to other allowances and benefits provided under existing laws. 
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SEC. 10. Powers, Functions and Dllties oftlte Board. - The Board shall exercise these 
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specific powers, functions, and duties: 
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(a) Conduct licensure examination for pharmacists; 
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(b) Prepare, adopt, and issue the Table of Specifications for the subjects in the bom:d 
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licensure examination for phannacists in consultation with the academe; determine and 
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prepare the questions therefor; score md rate the examination papers with the name and 
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signature of the Board member concerned appearing thereon and submit the results in all 
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subjects duly signed by the members of the Board to the Commission no later than three 
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(3) days from the last day of examination unless extended by the Connnission for 
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justifiable causc/s; 
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(c) Review and/or amend the scope oflicensure examination; 
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(d) Approve the registration of phannacists; 
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(e) Add, delete, modify the scope, definition and standards of practice ofphannacy; 
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(f) Reprimand any phannacist, suspend, or revoke his/her certificate of registration on the 
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grounds as provided for in Sec. 46 hereof, after a formal administrative investigation; 
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(g) Promulgate from time to time the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
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enforcement of this Act; 
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(11) Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of pharmacy in the Philippines and adopt 
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measures that may be deemed proper for the enhancement of the profession and/or the 
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maintenance of high professional, academic, ethical and teclmical standards; 
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(i) Verify or confirm the qualifications and conditions of pharmacists employed 111 
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drugstores, hospital pharmacies, drug or pharmaceutical laboratories, drug traders, 
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importers, cosmetics and medical device establislunents for which the Board may 
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designate inspectors [rom the Food and Drug Administration and other related 
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institutions for such purpose; 
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(j) Investigate cases arising from violations of this Act, the rules and regulations 
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promulgated thereunder and the Phatmacist's Code of Ethics, technical standards, and 
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other Board issuances and for this purpose, may issue summons, subpocna duces ad 
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testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to the respondents and/or witnesses to compel 
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their attendance in such investigations or hearings: Provided that, the decision of the 
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Board shall, unless appealed to the Commission, becomes final and executory after 
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fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice of judgment or decision; 
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(Ie) Cite a person in contempt for failure or refusal to obey the lawful order of the Board in .! 
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accordance with the Revised Rule of Court; 
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(1) Delegate the hearing or investigation of administrative cases filed before them whereat 
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the hearing shall be presided over by at least one (1) member of the Board concemed 
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assisted by a Legal or Hearing Officer of the Commission, provided that if the charge is 
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not related to the technical practice of the profession, the hearing may be conducted 
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without a member ofthe Board; 
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(m)Conduct, through the Legal Officers of the Commission, summary proceedings on minor 
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violations of the respective regulatory laws, as determined by the Board. Violations of the 
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rules and regulations issued by the Board to implement this Act, including violations of 
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the general instlUctions to examinees committed by examinees, and render summary 
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judgment thereon which shall, unless appealed to the Commission, become final and 
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executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice of judgment or decision; 
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(n) Subject to the final approval by the Commission, recommend registration without 
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examination and the issuance of corresponding certificate of registration and professional 
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identification card to foreign pharmacists duly licensed in countries with agreement of 
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reciprocity with the Philippine government; 
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(0) Prepare an annual repOli of accomplislunents on programs, projects, and activities of the 
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Board during the year for submission to the Commission after the close of each calendar 
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year including appropriate recommendations on issues or problems affecting the practice 
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ofphannacy; 
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(p) Issue and promulgate guidelines on continuing professional development education in 
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coordination with the accredited professional organization; 
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(q) Recommend to the CHED for the closure of the program or course ofphannacy offered 
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by a school/college pursnant to the latter'S policy thereon; 
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(r) Approve the certification of drug handlers covered by Sec. 41 of this Act; 
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(s) Approve the standardized training programs for pharmacy assistants, clerks, and medical 
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representatives; and, 
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(t) Perform any implied, incidental, necessary power for the effective implementation ofthis 
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Act. 
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SEC. 11. Grounds for Suspension or Termination of Term of Office of tfte Chairman 
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or Member of the Board fi'olll his/her Office. - The President of the Philippines, upon the 
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recommendation of the Commission, after giving the Chailman or the member of the Board an 
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opportunity to defend himself/herself in an administrative investigation conducted by the 
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Commission, may remove or suspend himlher on any ofthe following grounds: 
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(a) 
Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of his/her duty; 
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(b) 
Violation of any ofthe canses/grounds/ and the prohibited acts provided in this Act and 
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the offenses in the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices and 
other laws; 
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(c) 
Involvement in the manipulation, tampering or rigging of the licensure examination, its 
questions and/or its results and the disclosure of classified and confidential infOlmation 
pertaining to the licensure exmnination. 
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(d) 
Conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent jurisdiction. 
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The Commission, in the conduct of investigation shall be guided by Section 7, mJd 
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Section 15 of R.A. No. 8981 and the rules on administrative investigation thereof, and the 
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applicable provisions of the New Rules of Court. 
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ARTICLE III 
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE 
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SEC. 12. - Passing of Licensure Examination Requirement. - Except as otherwise 
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specifically allowed under this Act, applicants for registration for the practice of pham1aey shall 
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be required to pass a licensure examination as provided for in this Act and in aceordance with 
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Sec. 7 (d) of R.A. No. 8981. 
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SEC. 13. - Qualifications of Applicants. - An applicant for the licensure examination 
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for pharmacy shall satisfactorily show that he/she possesses the following qualifications: 
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(a) Citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country/state has reciprocity with the 
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Philippines in the practice of pharmacy; 
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(b) Of good moral character and reputation; 
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(c) A holder of a Bachelor's dcgree in phannacy duly recognized or accredited by the 
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Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and confen'ed by a school/ college/university 
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duly authorized by the government or its equivalent degree obtained by either a Filipino 
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or foreign citizen from an institution oflearning in a foreign country/state, provided it is 
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duly recognized and/or accredited by CHED; 
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(d) Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitUde by a court of competent 
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jurisdiction; ancl 
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(e) I-Ie must have completed an Internship Program which shall consist of at least nine 
hundred sixty hams (960 hams), six hundred hours (600 hours) of which shall be spent 
equally distributed in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, or pharmaceutical 
industry - manufacturing, regulatory, marketing, or research - and other related fields, 
while three hundred sixty hours (360 hours) of internship shall be spent in any of the 
accredited pharmacy establishments or entity chosen by the candidate. 
For this purpose, the abovementioned community pharmacy, pharmaceutical company, 
and hospital pharmacy shall keep a separate record of pharmacy students who underwent said 
internship program directly under their control and as a result thereof, shall issue the proper 
ceriificate of said homs of internship. It shall also be the duty of said establishments to submit 
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semi-annually a complete report of the names of those who have undergone training under their 
supervision and the corresponding number of hours of internship credit of each of the pharmacy t 
students to their respective colleges or schools and to the Board. 
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SEC. 14. Scope of E'Camiltatiolt. - The licensure examination for phannacists shall be 
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divided into two major divisions: Pharmacy as Science and Pharmacy as Practice. Pharmacy as 
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Science shall consist of subjects in Group I (Manufactllling, Quality Control I and II, and Legal 
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Pharmacy and Ethics), Group II (Chemistry and Phannacy of Medicinals I, and Chemistry and 
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Pharmacy of Medicinals II, Pharmacognosy and Plant Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical 
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Biochemistry), Group III (Physical Pharmacy, Biophannaccutics and Pharmacokinetics, 
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Pharmacology I and II). 
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Pharmacy as Practice shall be made up of the following subjects: Group IV 
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(Pharmaceutical Calculations, Drug Delivery Systems, and Phannaceutical Administration and 
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Management), Group V (Microbiology and Parasitology, Public Health, and Clinical 
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Toxicology), and Group VI (Hospital Pharmacy, Clinical Phannacy, and Dispensing and 
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Medication Counseling). 
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The subjects shall be weighted as follows: Group I, 15%; Group II, 15%; Group Ill, 20%; 
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Group IV, 15%; Group V, 15%; and Group VI, 20 %. 
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The Board subject to the approval by the Commission may introduce relevant changes, as 
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the need arises, to the content of the examination and the relative weight attributed to each 
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subject in the examination may be made after consultation with the duly recognized association 
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of schools or colleges of pharmacy and the CHED. 
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SEC. 15. Holdi1lg of Examination. - Examination for registration to practice phannacy 
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in the Philippines shall be given twice a year in such places and dates as the Commission may 
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designate in the Resolution thereof all the Master Schedules for all licensure examinations in 
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accordance with Sec. 7 (d) ofR.A. No. 8981. The said places and dates may be subject to change 
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under valid circumstances and reasons. 
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SEC. 16. Ratings ill t"e Licensul"e Examination. - In order to be registered and licensed 
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as a pharmacist, a candidate must obtain a general weighted average of seventy-five per cent 
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(75%). 
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SEC. 17. Report of Rating. -The Board shall submit to the Commission the ratings 
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obtained by each candidate within three (3) calendar days after the examination, unless extended 
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for just cause. Upon the release of the results of the examination, the COlmnission shall send by 
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mail the rating received by each examinee at his/her given address using the mailing envelope 
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submitted during the examination. 
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SEC. 18. Oath of Profession. - All successful candidates in the licensure examination 
shall take their oath of profession before the Chairman or allY member of the Board or any' 
authorized officer of the Commission to administer oaths, prior to entering the practice of' 
pharmacy. 
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SEC. 19. Issuance of CeI"tificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card. 
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- A certificate of registration shall be issued to those who are registered upon payment of fees 
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prescribed by the Commission. It shall bear the signatures of the Chairperson and the 
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Commissioners of the Commission and the Chairman and Members of the Board, stamped with 
3 
the official seal of the Commission and of the Board, certifying the person named therein is 
4 
entitled to the practice of the profession with all the plivileges appurtenant thereto. Until revoked 
5 
or suspended in accordance with this Act, it shall remain in full force and effect. 
6 
A professional identification card bearing the registration number and date, its validity 
7 
and expiry duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission shall likewise be issued to every 
8 
registrant who has paid the presclibed fee. 
9 
10 
SEC. 20. Affixing R.Ph. after a Registered Pharmacist's Name. - Only pharmacists 
11 
who are duly registered and licensed by the Board and the Commission has the light to affix the 
12 
tille, "Registered Pharmacist" or "R.Ph." after his/her name. 
13 
14 
SEC. 21. Grounds for Non-registration. - The Board shall not register any successful 
15 
examinee for registration who has been: 
16 
(a) Convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a cOllli of competent jurisdiction, 
17 
(b) Found guilty ofimtnoral or dishonorable conduct by the Board, 
18 
(c) Adjudged guilty for violation of the General Instructions to Examinees by the Board, 
19 
(d) Declared ofunsound mind by the court of competent jurisdictiou, and 
20 
(e) Found addicted to dangerous drugs. 
21 
In refusing such registration, the Board shaH give the applicant a written statement setting 
22 
forth the reasons therefor and shaH file a copy in its records. 
23 
24 
SEC. 22. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of Lost or 
2S 
Damaged Cert!ficate of Registration, Professional Identificatio/l Card or Temporary/Special 
26 
Permit. - The Board may upon petition, reinstate or reissue a revoked certificate of registration 
27 
two (2) years fi'Olll the date of its revocation. The Board mayor may not require the pharmacist 
28 
whose certificate had been revoked to take another licensure examination. The petitioner shall 
29 
prove to the Board that he/she has valid reasonls to be reinstated to the practice ofpharrnacy. For 
15 


1 
the grant of his/her petition, the Board shall issue a Board Resolution subject to the approval of 
2 
the Commission. 
3 
Duplicate copy of lost or damaged certificate of registration, professional identification 
4 
card or temporary/special permit may be reissued in accordance with rules thereon and npon 
5 
payment ofthe prescribed fee therefor. 
6 
7 
SEC. 23. NOll-payment of the PRe Registratio1l Fees. -
The Board shall suspend a , 
8 
registered pharmacist ii'om the practice of his/her profession for non-payment of the PRC 
9 
registration fees for more than three (3) consecutive years from its last or previous year of 
10 
payment. The resumption of his/her practice shall take place only upon payment of delinquency 
11 
fees plus surcharges and interest and in accordance with the rules of the Commission. The 
12 
rur111ing of the three-year period may be interrupted upon written notice about the discontinuance 
13 
of his/her practice and surrender of his/her celiificate of registration with professional 
14 
identification card to the Board and/or the Commission. 
15 
16 
SEC. 24. Vested Rig/zts; Automatic RegistratioTt. - All phannacists registered before the 
17 
effectivity of this Act shall automatically be registered hereunder, subject to the policy as to 
18 
future requirements. Certificates of registration and professional identification cards or 
19 
temporary/special permits held by such persons in good standing at such effectivity shall have 
20 
the same force and effect as though they were issued on or after the said effectivity. 
21 
22 
23 
24 
ARTICLE IV 
REGULATION OF THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY 
25 
SEC. 25. Scope of the Practice of Pharmacy. - A person deemed to be practicing 
26 
pharmacy within the meaning of this Article is one who shall, with or without a fee, salary, , 
27 
percentage or other rewards, paid or given directly to himself or indirectly through another-
16 


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(a) Prepare, compound or manufacture, analyze, assay, preserve, store, distJibute, sell and/or 
dispense any medicine, drug, chemicals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, devices or 
contrivances used in pursuance thereof; or, 
(b) render services not limited to drug information service and medication management 
whenever the expertise and the technical knowledge of the phannacist is reqnired; or, 
(c) render services not limited to regulatory services, pharmaceutical marketing, and the 
conduct or undertaking of scientific research in all aspects involving drugs and 
healthcare in collaboration with other qualified professional; or, 
(d) engage in teaching scientific, technical or professional phannacy courses in a school or 
college of pharmacy; or 
(e) conduct or undertake scientific research in all aspects involving dlugs and healthcare; or 
(l) dispense drugs during medical missions and in other situations where supervision of 
drugs is required; or, 
(g) provide other services where pharmaceutical knowledge is required. 
All govemmcnt and non-govemlUcnt agencies, establislnncnts, institutions, and 
regulatory body with functions that directly involve the practice of phannacy shall preferably be 
heacled and managed by a qualified, duly registered and licensed phannaeist. 
All pharmacists arc expected to abide by current standards such as the Good Pharmacy , 
Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, Good Distribution Practice, Good Manufacturing Practice, 
and Good Clinical Practice, which are deemed vital in the performance of one's roles and 
functions in different practice areas. 
The Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, may add to, delete, or modify the 
above acts, services, or activities as the need arises. 
25 
SEC. 26. Prereqllisitesfor tfle Practice of Pharmacy. - A pcrson can practice pharmacy 
26 
in the Philippines provided he/she: 
27 
(a) has satisfactorily passed the licensure examination for pharmacists given by the Board 
28 
and the Commission; 
29 
(b) is duly registered with and licensed by the Board and the Commission; and, 
17 


1 
( c) is an active member of the accredited integrated national professional organization. 
2 
3 
SEC. 27. F oreigl/ Reciprocity. - No foreigner shall be allowed to take the licensure 
4 
examination for pharmacists, register, reccive his/her certificate of registration and professional 
5 
identification card, and practice pharmacy in the Philippines unless the requirements for the 
6 
licensure examination and registration and practice of pharmacy imposed under the laws and the 
7 
regulations in his/her foreign country or state afe substantially the same as those required and 
8 
contemplated by the Philippine laws and regulations, and unless the said forcigu laws and 
9 
regulations allow Filipino citizens to practice pharmacy within the territory of the said foreign 
10 
country/state on the same basis and grant the same privileges as those enjoyed by the citizens, I 
11 
subjects or nationals thereof. 
12 
13 
SEC. 28. Practice through Temporary/Special Permit. - A temporary! special permit 
14 
may be issued by the Board subject to the approval of the Commission and payment of 
15 
applicable fees to the following: 
16 
(a) licensed phal111acists from foreign countries whose services whether for free or a fee 
17 
(1) if they arc internationally renowned pharmacists or experts in any field or 
18 
specialty of pharmacy, 
19 
(2) if their services are deemed necessary for lack of specialists or experts in a 
20 
particular field, 
21 
(b) licensed pharmacists iiom foreign countries or states whose services shall be for free and 
22 
limited to indigent patients as beneficiaries; or 
23 
(c) licensed pharmacists from foreign countrie& or states employed as visiting faculty in a 
24 
field or specialty ofphannacy. 
25 
The pennit shall, among other things, contain these limitations and conditions for a 
26 
period of no more than one year, subject to renewal, the field or specialty of pharmacy, and the 
27 
specific place of practice including clinics, hospitals, and schools of pharmacy. The Board 
28 
subject to the approval by the Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations on the 
29 
implementation ofthis particular Section. 
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SEC. 29. Illdication of NUIII/Jers: Certificate of Registration, Professional Tax Receipt , 
ami Accredited Integrated National Orgallization (AlPO) Afembership. - The pharmacist sball 
be required to indicate on any document he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the 
practice of pham1acy the following infonnation: 
(a) his/her registration number and date of issuance, 
(b) the expiration dale of his/her professional identification card, 
(c) the Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) Number and dale of issuance, and 
(d) thc certificate of AIPO membership (annual/lifetime) number and the official receipt of 
payment, number and date. 
SEC. 30. Registry of Pharmacists. - The Board shall prepare and maintain a registry of 
the nmnes, residences and/or office addresses of all registered phannacists which shall be 
updated annually in cooperation with the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization 
(AIPO), indicating therein the status of the certificate of registration, professional identification 
card anel Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) membership, whether valid or 
inactive due to death, or other reasons, delinqnent, suspended or with revoked certiflcate of 
registration. The said registry of pharmacists shall be conspicuow;ly posted within the premises 
of the Commission and the infonnation therein made available to the public upon inquiry or 
request. 
I 
., 
SEC. 31. Display af Certificate of Registration. -It shall be the duly of every p larmaClst 
engaged in the practice of phannacy either on his/her own account or under the employ of 
another to display his/her original certificate of registration in a prominent and conspicuous place 
in a retail drug outlet or drug estahlishment which he operates or in which he/she is employed in 
his/her professional capacity as pharmacist. No pharmacist shall, with hisfher knowledge, allow 
his/her certificate of registration to be displayed in such establishment when he/she is not 
actually employed or operating therein in his/her professional capacity. 
A photocopy of the registration celiificate duly certified by the Board shall be displayed 
in Category B establishments as described in Section 33 of this Act. 
19 


1 
2 
SEC. 32. Sale (~r Drugs, Medicines, Pharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceuticals, Medicated 
3 
Cosmetics, and Medical Devices. - No drug, medicines, phannaceuticals, biophannaceuticals, 
4 
medicated cosmetics, and medical devices of whatever nature and kind shall be compounded, 
5 
dispensed, sold or resold, or otherwise be made available to the consuming public except through 
6 
a FDA-licensed retail drug outlet or other business establishments which are duly established in 
7 
accordance with the provisions of applicable laws. 
8 
Prescription drugs 
and 
pharmacist-only over-the-counter drugs, 
medicines 
or 
9 
pharmaceutical products shall be dispensed by a duly registered pharmacist except only in 
10 
emergency case where the services of a registered and licensed pharmacist are not available. 
11 
Provided, that prescription drugs and phannacist-only over-the-counter drugs, medicines or 
12 
pharmaceutical products are sourced only in pharmacies under the direct control, supervision and , 
13 
responsibility of a registered pharmacist. 
14 
Compounding and dispensing shall be done only by duly registered and licensed 
15 
pharmacists in accordance with current good manufacturing practice, good laboratory practice, 
16 
and good pharmacy practice with the safety and protection of individual patients as ultimate 
17 
objective. A registered and licensed phannacist may refuse to compound, dispense or sell drugs 
18 
and phannaceutical products, if not in accordance with this Act. 
19 
Licensed manufacturers, importers, distributors and wholesalers of chugs, medicines, 
20 
medicated cosmetics, phannaceutical and biophannaceuticals are authorized to sell their 
21 
products only to duly licensed dlUg outlets, wholesalers and other dlUg establislunents. 
22 
23 
SEC. 33. Pharmacist Requirement and Compensation. -
24 
Category A. Establishments where the direct and immediate control, supervision and 
25 
responsibility of a registered and licensed phannacist is required at all times when open for 
26 
business include: 
27 
i. Every drug establishment/outlet selling prescription dlUgs andmedicilles, ethical 
28 
products, pharmacists-only over-the-counter dlUgs and medicines and medicated 
20 


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2S 
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28 
29 
cosmetics whether owned by the govemment or a private person or firm, whether 
sold at wholesale or retail, 
ll. Each operation of pharmaceutical laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing 
laboratories or other establishments with processes involving the preparation, f 
manufacture, quality control, repacking, impOitation, exportation, distribution, , 
sale or transfer of pharmaceutical products and medicated cosmetics in quantities 
greatly in excess of single therapeutic doses 
Category B. Establishments where supervision and oversight of a registered and licensed 
phannacist is required pursuant to the provision of pertinent laws inclucle: 
i. Retail outlets selling over-the-counter dtugs only 
11. Establishments involved in the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution 
and sale of medical devices. 
iii. Institutional pharmacies providing medicines to employees and their relatives 
iv. Gove!1lment agencies including local govelluuent units, city and municipal health 
units, and, private establishments involved in the procurcment, distribution, 
dispensing and storage of dtugs and medicines 
v. Institutions providing telepharmacy services 
vi. Other non-traditional outlets of dtugs and medicines provided no prescription or 
ethical products are sold 
The Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, may add, delete, or modify the 
above list of establishments as the need arises in order (0 be able to keep pace with developments 
in the industry. 
Pharmacists in government service shall receive a starting salary equivalent to Salary 
Grade 15 as provided in R.A. 6758 (Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989) and 
its amendments. Pharmacists in the private sector shall receive an entry-level salary in peso 
eqnivalent of at least 35% above the prevailing minimum wage. 
A pharmacist working in a Category A establishment may be allowed to simultaneonsly 
work or rencler pharmacy services in not more than two Category B establishments, provided 
that the Category B establishments are within a ten (l0) kilometer radius from the Category B 
21 
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1 
establishment. A photocopy of the Pharmacist's registration certificate duly certified by the 
2 
Board shall he displayed in such Category B establishments. 
3 
4 
SEC. 34. Responsibility for Quality of Drugs, Cosmetics and Medical Devices. - It shall 
5 
be the duty of the registered pharmacist of drug outlet/establishment to ensure that all dmg 
6 
products, cosmetics and medical devices conform to standards of safety, quality and efficacy and 
7 
strictly adhere to the guidelines as provided for in this Act and other pertinent 11Jles and 
8 
regulations and issuances. Owners, managers, and/or phatmacists in charge of the operation of 
9 
dmg outlets and drug establishments shall be held responsible. 
10 
It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, prepare, sell or dispense any 
11 
prescription drug, pharmaceutical, medical devices, or cosmetics under any frandulent name, 
12 
direction or pretense or to adulterate any drug, pharmaceutical, medical devices, or cosmetics 
13 
offered for sale. Any drug, pharmaceutical product, medical device/s or cosmetics shall be held 
14 
to be adultcrated or deteriorated within the meaning of this section if it differs fi-om the standard 
15 
or quality or purity given in the United States PhannaeopeiaiNational Fonnulary and Philippine , 
16 
Pharmacopeia, in its latest edition, or any standard reference for dIUgS and medicines given , 
17 
official recognition, and those which fall within the meaning as provided for in the Food Dmg, 
18 
Cosmctic and Devices Act, R.A. No. 3720, as amended by pertinent laws and the Food and Dlug 
19 
Administration Act or R.A. 9711. 
20 
In cases of drug products sold in their original package, the seal of which has not been 
21 
broken or tampered with, the liability that may arise because of their quality and purity, rests 
22 
upon the manufacturer or importer, the distribntor, representative, or dealer who is responsible 
23 
for their distribution or sale. 
2d 
25 
SEC. 35. Fillillg and Partial Filling of Prescription. -
All prescriptions shall be 
26 
filled or compounded only by a registered and licensed pharmacist following the standards of 
27 
purity, safety and quality. Completely filled prescriptions should bc sunendered to the 
28 
pharmacist for recording. 
22 


1 
Partial filling of prescription is dispcnsing units less than the total quantity indicated in 
2 
the prescription. The prescription should contain information as to how many units were served 
3 
and shaH be returned [0 the buyer after being recorded in the appropriate book or equivalent 
4 
system. The drugstore, which completes the filling of the prescription, shall keep the prescription 
5 
on file for a prescribed period of time. 
6 
Ethical preparations may be dispensed only with a valid prescJiption by a doctor, dentist 
7 
or veterinarian. 
! 
8 
9 
SEC. 36. Physician's sample. -
Drugs, biologic products, devices or proprietary 
10 
medicines, given or intended to be given free to the physician and other qualified person by any 
11 
manufacturer or distributor or its medical representative as part of its program or promotion, 
12 
should not be sold. 
13 
The statement "Sample, not for sale" shall appear conspicuously on the container, 
14 
package, or carton of the drug or device to be given. It shaH be unlawful to remove, erase, deface 
15 
already marked original labels of samples. 
16 
No physician's sample for drugs classified as antibiotics or anti-infectives, including anti-
17 
TB may be given or distributed. 
18 
19 
SEC. 37. Prohibition against use of cipher or unusual terms in prescriptions and 
20 
prescription switching - Pharmacists should not componnd or dispense prescriptions, recipes or 
21 
formulas which are written in ciphers, codes or secret keys or prescriptions of dmgs using 
22 
unusual names which differ from those in standard phat111acopeias or formularies. 
23 
The phannacist dispensing or compounding prescriptions should not substitute the drug 
24 
or drugs called for in the prescription with any other drug or substance or ingredient without 
25 
pJior consultation with, and a written consent of the person prescribing, except in accordance 
26 
with RA 6675, known as the Generics Act of 1988, and other pertinent laws and regulations. 
I 
27 
22 
SEC. 38. Label of Dispensed Medicines. - Upon every box, bottle or package containing 
29 
medicine compounded or dispensed by a registered and licensed phar111acist based on 
23 


1 
prescription, there shall be pasted, affixed or imprinted a sea( or label bearing, among others, 
2 
name of patient, generic name of dmg; brand name, if any, strength, expiry date, directions [or 
3 
nse, and name and address of dmgstore and other reqnirements prescribed by the Cheaper 
4 
Medicines Act (RA 9502) and its implemcnting mles and regulations. 
5 
Every prescription which in its preparation contains any quantity of a dmg, which is 
6 
habit-forming, or a derivative of such dmg, shall have an auxiliary label or a notation, "Warning 
7 
- May be habit forming". Such prescriptions should comply with the requirements of the RA 
8 
9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of2002, or other applicable laws. 
9 
Prescription for external use shall be filled with an auxiliary label bearing, "For External 
10 
Use." 
11 
12 
SEC. 39. Record Books jor Prescription. - All prescriptions dispensed in the drugstore 
13 
shall be recorded in thc book or an equivalent recording system approved by FDA for this 
14 
purpose indicating therein, among others, the prescription number, name of prescriber, generic 
15 
name and brand, dosage strength, quantity of dmg, name of the patient and address, and initials 
16 
of pharmacist. It shall be open to inspection by the proper authorities at any time of the day when 
17 
the pharmacy is open to the public and must be preserved for a period of not less than two (2) 
18 
years after the last entry. 
I 
19 
All prescriptions shall be attached to the prescription book or compiled and numberecl ' 
20 
consecutively and shall be preserved for the same period of time as required. 
21 
All required information on dangerous drugs dispensed by a phannacy shall be recorded 
22 
in the Dangerous Drugs book or an equivalent recording system as required by R.A. 9165, or 
23 
other applicable laws. 
24 


1 
SEC. 40. Requirements for the Opelling and Operation oj Retail Drug Outlet or 
2 
Establishment. - The minimum requiremcnts necessary for the opening of retail drug outlet or 
3 
establishment shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Food and 
4 
Drug Administration in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
5 
The application for the opening of a retail drug outlet or other business establishments 
6 
should not be approved unless applied for by a Filipino registered pham1acist either as owner or 
7 
as pharmacist-in-charge pursuant to the provisions of this Act. 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
23 
SEC. 41. -Halldling of Drugs by Persons Other than a Pharmacist, - For the purpose 
of this section, persons handling drugs other than the phannacist are: professional medical ,! 
representatives, pharmacy assistants, pharmacy aides/clerks, and other persons who assist 
pharmacists in dispensing medicines or any other person performing [unctions involving the 
handling of drugs and drug products, It is prefen'ed that these positions are occupied by those 
who finished pharmacy degree, not necessarily licensed as phannacists and who have undergone 
the prescribed training from a Commission-accredited provider, 
No person, except pharmacy graduates, shall be allowed to render such services without 
undergoing comprehensive standardized training programs approved and accredited by the 
Board, A reasonable fee shall be assessed by the accreditation board for the examination and 
accreditation, 
ARTICLE V 
ACCREDITED INTEGRATED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION 
24 
SEC. 42. The ACCI'edited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of Pharmacists 
25 
- The pharmacists shall be integrated under one national Accredited Integrated Professional 
26 
Organization (AIPO) of pharmacists which is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange 
27 
Commission (SEC), The Board, subject to the approval by the COlmnission, shall accredit the 
28 
said organization as the only integrated national organization for registered pharmacists, All 
29 
pharmacists whosc names appear in the registry shall ipso facto or automatically become f 
25 


1 
members thereof and shall receive all the benefits and privileges accorded to its members upon 
2 
payment of the required fees and dues. Membership to the foregoing shall not be a bar to 
3 
membership in any other association of pharmacists. 
4 
All pharmacy assistants shall be accredited by the Board and shall ipso facto become 
5 
members of the AIPO and included in the registry of phannacy assistants. 
6 
7 
SEC. 43. Membership in the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization of 
8 
Pharmacists. - All registered pharmacists and pharmacy assistants must be members of the 
9 
AIPO and must maintain membership throughout the duration of the practice of the profession. 
10 
Professional identification card shall not be renewed if the requirements for membership with 
11 
AIPO are not met including credit units for attendance at duly accredited continuing professional 
12 
development (CPD) education activities. 
13 
14 
SEC. 44. Specialty Boards in Various Areas of Pharmacy Practice. - Specialty 
15 
Boards shaH be created within the affiliate organizations and societies for recognition of the 
16 
AIPO. The Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall accredit specialties in 
17 
various areas of practice, set standards of practice within different specialties, and establish the 
18 
qualifications and requirements for certification of practitioners under each specialty. 
19 
20 
21 
ARTICLE VI 
VIOLATIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS, AND PROCEDURES 
22 
SEC. 45. Revocation or Smpension of the Certificate of Registration and Cancellation 
23 
of Temporary or Special Permit - The Board shall have the power, upon notice and hearing to 
24 
revoke or suspend the certificate of registration of a registered pharmacist or to cancel a 
2S 
temporary or special permit granted to a foreign pharmacist on the basis of the following: 
26 
27 
28 
(a) 
Violation of this Act on unauthorized practice of phannacy, violation of any 
provision of this Act, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) thereof, the 
Code of Ethics for Phal1nacists, Code of Good Governance. Code of Teclmical 
26 
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(b) 
(cl 
(d) 
(e) 
(I) 
(g) 
(h) 
(i) 
(Ie) 
(I) 
(111) 
Standards for the practice of pharmacy, policy, and measure of the Board and/or the 
Commission and other applicable laws; 
Dishonorable conduct and/or conviction by a competent court of any offense in the 
Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Gran and Corruption Practices and other laws, or 
offense involving moral turpitude; 
Malpractice or gross incompetence; negligence, or imprudence resulting to death or 
injury of the patient; 
Fraud or deceit in the acquisition of the certificate of registration, professional 
identification card or temporary/special permit or renewal of license; 
Display of certificate of registration of a pharmacist who is not actually employed in 
such an establishment as required by law; 
Addiction to alcoholic beverages or to any habit-forming drug rendering him 
incompetent to practice his/her profession; 
Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and licensed person by 
allowing him/her the use of his/her certificate of registration and/or professional 
identification card or his/her special/temporary permit; 
Acting as a dummy of an alien or a person who is not qualified to establish and 
operate a retail drugstore; 
Insanity or any mental disorder that would render the person incompetent to practice 
his/her profession; 
False, extravagant or unethical advertisements and product endorsements where the 
pharmacist's name, professional organization he/she represents, and similar 
inforn1atiol1 are used; 
Manufacture, sale, offering for sale of counterfeit drugs and committing other acts in 
violation of Sec. 4 of the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs, R.A. No. 8203; 
Illegal manufacturing, sale, possession, dispensing of dangerous drugs and other 
pertinent acts in violation of Dangerous Drugs Act, R.A. No. 9165 and other 
applicable laws; 
Committing acts in violation of Sec. 6 ofP.D. No. 881 on Hazardous Substances; 
27 
f 


1 
(n) 
Practicing pharmacy while under suspension; 
2 
(0) 
Practicing with an expired professional identification card; 
3 
(p) 
Operating and! or dispensing drugs through online pharmacy. 
4 
5 
SEC. 46. Grounds for Non-renewal of license. - The following are the grounds for the 
6 
non-renewal of professional identification card: 
7 
(a) 
Refusal to join or to remain a member of good standing of the AIPO; 
8 
(b) 
Non-payment of allliual registration fees for three (3) continuous years; 
9 
(c) 
Non-compliance with the continuing professional development requirement, for the 
10 
renewal ofllis/her professional identification card; and 
11 
The Board shaIl periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise as the need 
12 
arises subject to the approval of the Commission. 
13 
Any person, entity or orgallization may file charges according to the provision of this section 
14 
against any registrant, or the Board may investigate violation of any of the abovementioned 
15 
causes. Affidavit of complaint under oath shall be filed together with the affidavits of witnesses 
16 
and other documentary evidence with the Board through the Legal and Investigation Office. The 
17 
move to conduct an investigation shall be embodied in a formal chal'ge to be signed by at least a 
18 
majority of the members of the Board. The rules on administrative investigation issued by the 
19 
Commission shall govern the hearing or investigation subject to applicable provisions of this 
20 
Act, R.A. No. 8981 and its rules and regulations thereof, and Rules of Court. 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
SEC. 47. Administrative Investigation/Sanctions. - Administrative investigations sha1l 
be conducted by the Board assisted by the Legal or Hearing Officer of the Commission. The f 
existing rules of evidence shall also be obs(:,TVed and applied during administrative 
investigations. 
[fthe Board, by a majority yote of the members, shall find that the charges are sustained 
by evidence adduced, it may, at its discretion reprimand the respondent or revoke or suspend his 
certificate of registration. 
28 


1 
SEC. 48. Procedure and Rules. - The Board upon receipt of a formal complaint under 
2 
oath against any phannacist shall furnish the latter a copy of the complaint, which shall be 
3 
answered in writing within ten (10) days from receipt thereof. Ifthe Board, after careful study of 
4 
the records, finds that there is a valid ground to the chaxge, it shall conduct a formal investigation 
5 
and set the dates of the hearing thereof. For this purposc, a subpoena and/or subpoena duces 
6 
tecum may be issued by the chairman of the Board or by the Chief, Legal and Investigation 
7 
Division. Thc investigation proceedings shall at all times be recorded. The investigation shall 
8 
have been terminated and resolved within ninety (90) days fi-om the time the first date of hearing 
9 
shall be set and heard. 
10 
11 
SEC. 49. Rights of Respondent. - The respondent phmmacist is entitled to be heard or be 
12 
represented by counsel; to have speedy public hearing, to confront, and to cross-examine the 
13 
witness or witnesses against him; to summon and present witness or witnesses in his behalf; or to 
14 
avail himself/herself of any other process for the protection of his/her constitutional rights. 
15 
, 
16 
SEC. 50. Motion for Reconsideration. - A motion for reconsideration within the, 
17 
prescribed period may be made based on any of the following grounds: 
18 
(a) Grave abuse of discretion by the Board; 
19 
(b) Findings not suppOited by substantial evidence; and, 
20 
(c) Irregularity in the conduct of investigation. 
21 
22 
SEC. 51. Appeal/Finality of Decision! - The decision of the Board shall automatically 
23 
become final and executory fifteen (\5) days from the appropriate service of the decision to the 
24 
respondent, unless the latter within the same period, has appealed the decision to the 
25 
Commission; provided that said decision of the Commission may be appealed to the Court of 
26 
Appeals. 
29 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
ARTICLE VII 
PENAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 52. Penal Provisions. - AllY person who shall violate any of the provisions of the 
practice of pharmacy as defined in the following provisions of Article IV shall, upon conviction 
thereof, be sentenceo to a fine of not less than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (Php2S0,OOO.OO) 
Pesos but not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand (PhpSOO,OOO.OO) Pesos or to imprisonment of f 
not less than one year and one day but not more than six years, or both penalties, at the discretion ' 
of the court: 
Registration certificate (Section 30 and 31) 
(a) Allowing the display of the phannacist's registration certificate 111 an outlet or 
establishment where helshe is not employed; 
(b) Display of a pharmacist's registration certificate by an outlet or establishment when the 
pharmacist is not employed; 
Dispensing and compounding (Sections 25, 26, 32, 33, 34, 35,38, 41) 
(c) Dispensing done in, or offering for sale of prescription drugs in a place not licensed by 
FDA as dmg outlet 
(d) Dispensing of prescription and pharmacist-only over-the-counter dmgs by a person other 
than those under the direct and immediate supervision of a registered pharmacist 
(e) Compounding and dispensing not in accordance with current good manufacturing 
practice, good laboratory practice, and good phannacy practice 
(f) Selling of prescription and pharmacist-only over-the-counter dlUgs by manufacturers, 
importers, and wholesalers to unlicensed drug outlets and other dlUg establishments 
(g) Substitution of prescription drugs which are not generically equivalent to what was on 
the prescription without the consent of the prescriber 
(h) Forcing, coercing or intimidating a registereel phannacist to compound or dispense elmgs' 
not in accordance with this Act 
30 


1 
(i) Preparation and compounding of pharmaceutical products in quantities greatly in excess 
2 
of single therapeutic doses without a registered pharmacist 
3 
CD Non-compliance with the labeling requirement for dispensed medicines by a drug outlet 
4 
(k) Allowing pharmacy assistants to dispense without the supervision of a pharmacist 
5 
(I) Manufacturing and selling of phannaceutical products under fraudulent name and 
6 
address 
7 
(m) Adulteration and misbranding of drugs 
8 
(n) Manufacturing and selling of unsafe, substandard and counterfeit drugs 
9 
(0) Operating an online phannacy service or selling of drugs online (Section 32) 
10 
Requirement of Pharll/acist (Sections 33, 35) 
11 
(p) Category A establislunents which open for business without a licensed pharmacist 
12 
(q) Category B establishments which are not under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist 
13 
(r) Compounding by a non-registered pharmacist or a pharmacist with an expired license 
14 
(s) Filling of prescription by a non-phannacist or a non-registered phannacist or a 
15 
pharmacist with expired license. 
16 
17 
SEC. 53. Other Penalties. - Any person who shall violate any of the following provisions of 
18 
this Act shall upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand! 
19 
(PhpIOO,OOO.OO) Pesos but not exceeding Two Hundred Thousand (Php200,OOO.OO) Pesos or to 
20 
an imprisonment of not less than Thirty (30) days but not more than One (1) year, or both 
21 
penalty and fine at the discretion of the court, thus: 
22 
(a) Affixing of the litie, R.Ph. by a person who is not a pharmacist duly registered by the 
23 
Board (Section 20) 
24 
(b) Practice of pharmacy in the Philippines by a foreigner without special pennit (Section 28) 
25 
(c) Non-indication by a pharmacist of his/her registration number and Professional Tax 
26 
Receipt number in official documents requiring such information (Section 29) 
27 
(d) Failure to display original certificate of registration of a pharmacist 111 a drug 
28 
establislunent requiring such (Section 31) 
31 


1 
(e) Refusal to display certificate of registration of a phannacist 111 a prominent and 
2 
conspicuous place by an establislunentioutlet (Section 31) 
3 
(0 Refusal by an establishment to comply with compensation requirement as provided in 
4 
Section 33 of this Act 
5 
(g) Non-compliance by a pharmacist with the requirement on the filling of prescription 
6 
(Section 35) 
7 
(h) Non-compliance by a registered pharmacist on the requirement for partially filled 
8 
prescription (Section 35) 
9 
(i) 
Selling of physician's samples (Section 36) 
10 
(j) Distribution of physician's samples of dmgs classified as antibiotics, anti-infectives or , 
11 
anti-TB (section 36) 
12 
(Ie) The removal, erasure and alteration of mark or label of ph ysici all's sample (Section 36) 
13 
(1) 
The use of cipher, codes or secret leeys or unusual names or terms in prescriptions (Sec 
14 
37) 
15 
(m) Filling of Prescriptions where cipher, codes, secret keys or unusual names and terms are 
16 
used (Sec 37) 
17 
(n) Non-compliance with the Provisions on Record Books for Prescription by a drug outlet 
18 
(Section 39) 
19 
(0) Employment o[persons in a phannacy orphatmaceutica1 operation without the provision 
20 
of the required training and certification (Section 41) 
21 
(p) Rendering dispensing-related services by non-pharmacists 111 a dmg establishment 
22 
without undergoing the required training (Section 41 ) 
23 
Any person other than the citizens of the Philippines having been found guilty of any 
24 
violation as provided for in this and the preceding section shal1, after having paid the fine or 
25 
having served his sentence or both when so adjudged, be also subject to immediate deportation. 
26 
For any violation of the provisions of this Act penalized under this and the preceding 
27 
section, which also constitutes or considered as punishable offense or described as a violation of 
I 
32 


1 
other laws, thc applicable penalty sha1l be that of the law providing for a higher fine and/or , 
2 
imprisonment. 
3 
For any violation of the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act, 
4 
appropriate penalty sha1l be imposed. 
5 
6 
ARTICLE VIII 
7 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
8 
9 
SEC. 54. ETl/orcemellt. - The Commission shall be the enforcement agency of this Act. 
10 
As such, the Commission sha1l implement the appropriate provisions of this Act, enforce its 
11 
implementing rulcs ancl regulations as adopted by the Board, assist the Board in the investigation 
12 
of complaints against violators of this Act, its rules and regulations, Code of Ethics for 
13 
pha1111acists, professional standards, and other policies of the Board and the Commission. 
14 
The Commission and/or the Board sha1l call upon or request any department, 
15 
instrumentality, office, bureau, institution or agency of the govenU11ent, including local 
16 
govermnent units to render such assistance as it may require, or to coordinate or cooperate in 
17 
order to carry out, enforce or implement the prOVisions ofthis Act. 
18 
19 
SEC. 55. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the PRe shall immediately include in its 
20 
programs on the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be charged against their 
I 
current years' appropriations and thereafter, in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
21 
22 
SEC. 56. TraTlsitory Provisions.- The incumbent Chairman and members of the Board 
23 
Shall, in an interim capacity, continue to function as such until the Chairman and members o1'tl1e 
24 
new Board created under this Act shall have been appointed, constituted and/or organized 
25 
pursuant thereto. 
26 
27 
SEC. 57. Implementing Rules amI Regulations. - Within Olle hundred and twenty (120) 
28 
days after the approval of this Act, the Board subject to the approval by the Commission, in 
33 


1 
consultation with the AIPO, shall issue and formulate the implementing rules and regulations, as 
2 
well as the Code of Ethics and professional standards for pharmacists, to effectively implement 
3 
this Act. 
4 
5 
SEC. 58. Separability Clause. - If any clause, provisions, paragraph or part hereof shall 
6 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate, impair any 
7 
other part thereof, but such judgment shall be merely confined to the clause, provision, paragraph 
8 
or part directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment has been rendered. 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
SEC. 59. Repealing clallse. - R.A. No. 5921, known as the Phannacy Law, as amended 
by E.O. No. 174, and PD No. 1363, and all other laws inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed, 
Presidential decrees, executive orders, and other administrative issuances and parts thereof which 
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, amended, superseded and/or 
repealed accordingly. 
16 
SEC. GO. Eff'ectil,ity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the full 
17 
and complete publication thereof in the Official Gazette or in two (2) major daily newspaper of 
18 
general circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved, 
34 
.f