Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure seeks to create a Drug Prices Regulatory Board which shall have the 
responsibility of regulating the process of drugs and medicines in the Philippines. The proposed 
Drug Prices Regulatory Board shall be composed of seven (7) members which shall hail from 
various agencies (such as the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Food 
and Drugs Administration and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) and representatives from 
the academe (economist) and consumers sector. This inter-agency composition of the board is 
proposed with the goal of ensuring broad spectrum of ideas, viewpoints and administrative 
powers in addressing the issue of affordability and accessibility of drugs and medicines in the 
country. 
This measure shall likewise strengthen the procurement of cheaper drugs and medicines by the 
government through the creation of a trust fund to be utilized for parallel drug importation and 
other procurement arrangements. The Board is empowered to require pharmaceutical distributors 
to buy or obtain under any other form of arrangement, reasonable quantity of drugs and 
medicines procured by the government. The Board can also mandate up to 15% of a drug or 
medicine procurement of large pharmaceutical distributors to be allotted to a particular generic 
drug and medicine, thereby ensuring affordability and accessibility of medicines for our 
countrymen. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
July 23, 2021
9:58 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE DRUG PRICE REGULATORY BOARD TO REGULATE THE 
PRICES OF DRUGS AND MEDICINES IN THE PHILIPPINES AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9502, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE CHEAPER AND QUALITY MEDICINES ACT OF 
2008" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Chapter 3 of Republic Act No. 9502 will now be titled, “Drugs and Medicines 
Price Regulatory Board” 
SEC. 2. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9502 is hereby deleted and a new Section 17 is 
hereby inserted to read as follows: 
“SEC. 17. CREATION AND COMPOSITION OF THE DRUG PRICES 
REGULATORY BOARD. 
a) THERE 
IS 
HEREBY 
CREATED 
THE 
DRUGS 
PRICES
REGULATORY BOARD, WHICH SHALL BE ATTACHED TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMPOSED OF SEVEN (7)
MEMBERS AS FOLLOWS:
1. SECRETARY OF HEALTH OR HIS DULY DESIGNATED
REPRESENTATIVE AS CHAIRPERSON;
2. SECRETARY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY OR HIS DULY
DESIGNATED 
REPRESENTATIVE 
AS 
VICE-
CHAIRPERSON;
9846


3. DIRECTOR, FOOD AND DRUGS ADMINISTRATION OR 
HIS 
DULY 
DESIGNATED 
REPRESENTATIVE 
AS 
MEMBER; 
4. CHAIRMAN, 
PHILIPPINE 
HEALTH 
INSURANCE 
CORPORATION AS MEMBER; 
5. ONE (1) ECONOMIST FROM THE ACADEME AS 
MEMBER; AND 
6. TWO (2) REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSUMERS' 
SECTOR AS MEMBERS. 
 
b) THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD REPRESENTING THE 
ACADEME AND THE CONSUMERS’ SECTOR SHALL BE 
APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES AND 
SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF TWO (2) YEARS: PROVIDED, 
THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSUMERS' 
SECTOR SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR REAPPOINTMENT 
FOR ANOTHER TERM.” 
 
SEC. 3. Section 18 of Republic Act No. 9502 is hereby deleted and a new Section 18 is 
hereby inserted to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 18. POWERS OF THE BOARD. – THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE 
FOLLOWING POWERS: 
 
a) POWER TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM RETAIL PRICE OF 
DRUGS OR MEDICINES SUB.JECT TO PRICE REGULATION. – 
 
(1) UPON APPLICATION OR MOTU PROPIOWHEN THE PUBLIC 
INTEREST SO REQUIRES, THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE 
POWER TO REGULATE THE RETAIL PRICES OF DRUGS AND 
MEDICINES 
LISTED 
UNDER 
SECTION 
26 
HEREOF, 
INCLUDING THEIR DOSAGE FORM AND PACKING, AND, IN 
ORDER THAT THEY SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE 
PUBLIC AT AFFORDABLE RETAIL PRICE FROM THE 
DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS, TRADERS, 
DISTRIBUTORS, WHOLESALERS OR RETAILERS AND 
AFTER A PROPER DETERMINATION AS THE BOARD MAY 
DEEM FIT, FIX FROM TIME TO TIME, BY PUBLICATION THE 
MAXIMUM 
RETAIL 
PRICE 
AT 
WHICH 
SUCH 
FORMULATIONS SHALL BE SOLD; 
 


(2) NO RETAILER SHALL SELL DRUGS AND MEDICINES AT A 
RETAIL PRICE EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM RETAIL PRICE 
FIXED BY THE BOARD: PROVIDED, THAT UNTIL THE 
MAXIMUM RETAIL PRICE OF DRUGS AND MEDICINES 
SUBJECT TO PRICE REGULATION IS FIXED BY THE BOARD, 
THE RETAIL PRICE THEREOF SHALL BE THE PRICE WHICH 
PREVAILED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE EFFECTIVITY OF 
THIS ACT AND NO MANUFACTURER, IMPORTER, TRADER, 
DISTRIBUTOR, WHOLESALER OR RETAILER OF SUCH 
DRUG OR MEDICINE SHALL SELL THE SAME AT A RETAIL 
PRICE EXCEEDING THE PRICE PREVAILING IMMEDIATELY 
BEFORE THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT.  
 
FOR PURPOSES HEREOF, DRUGS AND MEDICINES SHALL 
INCLUDE BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO SINGLE- AND MULTI-
INGREDIENT MEDICINES INCLUDED IN THE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL DRUG FORMULARY (PNDF) ESSENTIAL DRUG 
LIST AND SOLD UNDER THEIR GENERIC AND BRAND 
NAMES. 
 
b) POWER TO INCLUDE OTHER DRUGS OR MEDICINES IN THE UST 
SUBJECT TO PRICE REGULATION. – UPON APPLICATION OR 
MOTU PROPIOWHEN THE PUBLIC INTEREST SO REQUIRES 
AND AFTER PROPER DETERMINATION, THE BOARD MAY 
ORDER THE INCLUSION OF DRUGS AND MEDICINES TO THE 
LIST SUBJECT TO PRICE REGULATION UNDER SECTION 26 
HEREOF. 
 
c) POWER TO IMPLEMENT COST-CONTAINMENT AND OTHER  
MEASURES. –  
 
(1) THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DETERMINE THE 
FAIR PRICE OF DRUGS OR MEDICINES FOR PURPOSES OF 
PUBLIC 
HEALTH 
INSURANCE 
AND 
GOVERNMENT 
PROCUREMENT; AND 
 
(2) THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO IMPLEMENT ANY 
OTHER MEASURES THAT THE GOVERNMENT MAY AVAIL OF 
TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE THE COST OF DRUGS OR 
MEDICINES THAT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, 
COMPETITIVE BIDDING, PRICE-VOLUME NEGOTIATIONS, 
PARALLEL 
DRUG 
IMPORTATION 
AND 
OTHER 


APPROPRIATE MECHANISMS THAT INFLUENCE SUPPLY, 
DEMAND, 
AND 
EXPENDITURES 
ON 
DRUGS 
AND 
MEDICINES. 
 
(3) THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO MANDATE UP TO 
15% OF A DRUG OR MEDICINE PROCUREMENT OF LARGE 
PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTORS TO BE ALLOTTED TO A 
PARTICULAR GENERIC DRUG AND MEDICINE AND/OR 
REQUIRE PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTORS TO BUY OR 
OBTAIN UNDER ANY OTHER FORM OF ARRANGEMENTS, 
REASONABLE QUANTITY OF DRUGS AND MEDICINES 
PROCURED BY THE PHILIPPINE PHARMA PROCUREMENT, 
INC. SUCH DRUGS AND MEDICINES SHALL BE MADE 
AVAILABLE TO ALL BRANCHES OF THE SAID DISTRIBUTOR 
WHICH SHALL INFORM ANY BUYER OF THE AVAILABILITY, 
WITH CORRESPONDING PRICES, OF THESE DRUGS AND 
MEDICINES SO THAT THE BUYER MAY ADEQUATELY 
EXERCISE HIS/HER OPTION. THE LIST OF THESE DRUGS 
AND MEDICINES SHALL BE POSTED IN A CONSPICUOUS 
PLACE IN THE SAID BRANCHES. 
 
d) POWER TO IMPOSE ADMINISTRATIVE FINES AND PENAL TIES. 
– AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, THE BOARD SHALL HAVE 
THE POWER TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE THE LICENSE TO 
OPERATE (LTO), PROFESSIONAL OR BUSINESS LICENSE, AS 
THE CASE MAY BE, OF ANY PERSON, MANUFACTURER, 
IMPORTER, TRADER, DISTRIBUTOR, WHOLESALER, RETAILER, 
OR ANY OTHER ENTITY, AND IMPOSE ADMINISTRATIVE FINES 
IN SUCH AMOUNT AS IT MAY DEEM REASONABLE WHICH 
SHALL IN NO CASE BE LESS THAN TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND 
PESOS (P 200,000.00) NOR MORE THAN FIVE MILLION PESOS 
(P 5,000,000.00) FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE MAXIMUM RETAIL 
PRICE FIXED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. 
 
e) OTHER POWERS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT PROVISIONS OF 
THIS CHAPTER. – THE BOARD SHALL EXERCISE SUCH POWERS 
AND FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT AND 
ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER OF THIS ACT, 
INCLUDING THE POWER TO REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION AND 
SUBMISSION 
OF 
RECORDS, 
DOCUMENTS, 
BOOKS 
OF 
ACCOUNT, BILLS OF LADING, INPUT DOCUMENTS, RECORDS 


OF PURCHASE AND SALE, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND SUCH 
OTHER DOCUMENTS, INFORMATION AND PAPERS AS MAY BE 
NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE BOARD TO CARRY OUT ITS 
FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. ACCORDINGLY, 
EVERY 
DECEMBER 
31st 
OF 
 
EVERY 
YEAR, 
EVERY 
MANUFACTURER, 
IMPORTER, 
 
DISTRIBUTOR, 
TRADER, 
WHOLESALER, AND RETAILER OF DRUG AND MEDICINE 
WHETHER INCLUDED IN OR EXCLUDED FROM THE LIST OF 
DRUGS AND MEDICINES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO PRICE 
REGULATION 
SHALL 
FURNISH 
THE 
BOARD 
A 
LIST, 
CONTAINING ON THE MINIMUM THE CORRESPONDING 
PRICES AND INVENTORY, OF ALL DRUGS AND MEDICINES IT 
MANUFACTURES, 
IMPORTS, 
 
DISTRIBUTES, 
TRADES, 
WHOLESALES, 
OR 
RETAILS 
 
ALL 
NECESSARY 
AND 
INFORMATION THAT THE BOARD MAY REQUIRE.” 
 
SEC. 4. Section 19 of Republic Act No. 9502 is hereby deleted and a new Section 19 is 
hereby inserted to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 19. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD – THE BOARD SHALL HOLD 
REGULAR MEETING EVERY QUARTER AND SUCH SPECIAL 
MEETINGS AS MAY BE NECESSARY UPON THE REQUEST OF THE 
CHAIRMAN OR UPON THE REQUEST OF AT LEAST TWO (2) OF ITS 
MEMBERS. THE BOARD MAY INVITE CONCERNED PUBLIC AND 
PRIVATE 
AGENCIES 
OR 
ENTITIES 
TO 
PARTICIPATE, 
COMPLEMENT, AND ASSIST IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS 
FUNCTIONS.” 
 
SEC. 5. Section 20 of Republic Act No. 9502 is hereby deleted and a new Section 20 is 
hereby inserted to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 20. CREATION OF A SECRETARIAT – THERE IS HEREBY 
CREATED A SECRETARIAT TO BE HEADED BY AN EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR TO SUPPORT THE BOARD IN CARRYING OUT ITS 
FUNCTIONS. 
THE 
BOARD 
SHALL 
PROVIDE 
FOR 
THE 
INSTITUTIONAL SETUP, QUALIFICATIONS, AND COMPENSATION 
OF 
THE 
EMPLOYEES 
COMPOSING 
THE 
SECRETARIAT 
IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING CML SERVICE AND CAREER 
EXECUTIVE 
SERVICE 
RULES 
AND 
REGULATIONS 
AND 
CONSISTENT 
WITH 
THE 
PROVISION 
OF 
THE 
SALARY 
STANDARDIZATION LAW FOR GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL, AND 
DETERMINE THE SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF THE SECRETARIAT.” 
 


SEC. 6. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9502 is hereby deleted and a new Section 21 is 
hereby inserted to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 21. PROCEDURES FOR INQUIRIES, STUDIES, HEARINGS, 
INVESTIGATIONS, AND PROCEEDINGS. – ALL INQUIRIES, 
STUDIES, HEARINGS, INVESTIGATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS 
CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE RULES 
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD, AND IN THE CONDUCT THEREOF SHALL 
NOT BE BOUND BY THE TECHNICAL RULES OF EVIDENCE.” 
 
SEC. 7. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 9502 is hereby deleted and a new Section 22 is 
hereby inserted to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 22. EFFECTIVITY AND REVIEW OF THE DECISIONS OR 
ORDERS OF THE BOARD. – ALL DECISIONS OR ORDERS OF THE 
BOARD 
PURSUANT 
TO 
SECTION 
18 
HEREOF, 
SHALL 
BE 
IMMEDIATELY OPERATIVE.  
 
A PARTY ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY A DECISION, ORDER OR 
RULING OF THE BOARD MAY, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM 
NOTICE OF SUCH DECISION, ORDER OR RULING, OR IN CASE OF 
A DENIAL OF A MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION THEREOF, 
WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS AFTER NOTICE OF SUCH DENIAL, 
FILE AN APPEAL WITH THE COURT OF APPEALS, WHICH SHALL 
HAVE JURISDICTION TO REVIEW SUCH DECISION, ORDER OR 
RULING.  
 
THE FILING OF A PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR 
OTHER SPECIAL REMEDIES IN THE SUPREME COURT SHALL IN NO 
CASE SUPERSEDE OR STAY ANY DECISION, ORDER OR RULING OF 
THE BOARD, UNLESS THE SUPREME COURT SHALL SO DIRECT, 
AND THE PETITIONER MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE SUPREME 
COURT TO GIVE BOND IN SUCH FORM AND OF SUCH AMOUNT AS 
MAY BE DEEMED PROPER.” 
 
SEC. 8. Section 26 of Republic Act No. 9502 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
“SECTION 26. Display of Maximum Retail Price Fixed [and approved by 
order of the President of the Philippines] by the BOARD for Drugs or 
Medicines Subject to Price Regulation. – 
 
a) Within a reasonable period as may be determined by the [Secretary of 
the Department of Health] BOARD, and: Provided, That it conforms to 
existing drug product labeling requirements, every manufacturer, 


importer, distributor, wholesaler, trader, or retailer of a drug and 
medicine intended for sale shall display the retail price which shall not 
exceed the maximum retail price fixed by the Board. The maximum retail 
price shall be printed on the label of the immediate container of the drug 
and medicine and the minimum pack thereof offered for retail sale with 
the words “RETAIL PRICE NOT TO EXCEED” preceding it, and 
“UNDER DRUG PRICE REGULATION" on a red strip PROVIDED 
THAT IN CASE OF A CONTAINER CONSISTING OF SMALLER 
SALEABLE PACKS, THE RETAIL PRICE OF SUCH SMALLER PACK 
SHALL ALSO BE DISPLAYED ON THE LABEL OF EACH SMALLER 
PACK AND SUCH PRICE SHALL NOT BE MORE THAN THE PRO 
RATA RETAIL PRICE OF THE MAIN PACK ROUNDED OFF TO THE 
NEAREST CENTAVO.” 
 
b) Within a period as may be determined by the [Secretary of the 
Department of Health] BOARD from time to time, every manufacturer, 
importer, or trader shall issue a price list to wholesalers, distributors, 
retailers and to the [Secretary of the Department of Health] BOARD, 
indicating the retail price, the maximum retail price, and such other 
information as may be required by the [Secretary of the Department of 
Health] BOARD. 
 
SEC. 9. A new Section 26-A is hereby inserted to read as follows: 
 
“SECTION 26-A. DISPLAY OF PRICE AND PRICE LIST OF DRUGS 
OR MEDICINES EXCLUDED FROM THE LIST SUBJECT TO PRICE 
REGULATION. – EVERY MANUFACTURER, IMPORTER, TRADER, 
DISTRIBUTOR, WHOLESALER, OR RETAILER OF A DRUG OR 
MEDICINE EXCLUDED FROM THE LIST SUBJECT TO PRICE 
REGULATION UNDER SECTION 23 HEREOF SHALL DISPLAY IN 
INDELIBLE PRINT MARK ON THE LABEL OF THE IMMEDIATE 
CONTAINER OF THE DRUG OR MEDICINE AND THE MINIMUM 
PACK THEREOF OFFERED FOR RETAIL SALE, THE WORDS “NOT 
UNDER PRICE REGULATION” ON GREEN STRIP.” 
 
SEC. 10. Section 28 of R.A 9502 is hereby deleted and a new Section 28 is hereby 
inserted to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 28. CREATION OF A TRUST FUND – A TRUST FUND IN THE 
AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (P 500,000,000.00) 
IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE BOARD. 
THE FUND SHALL SERVE AS REVOLVING FUND TO BE UTILIZED 


FOR PARALLEL DRUG IMPORTATION AND OTHER PROCUREMENT 
ARRANGEMENTS TO LOWER THE COST OF DRUGS AND 
MEDICINES THROUGH THE PHILIPPINE PHARMA PROCUREMENT, 
INC.” 
 
SEC. 11. Section 30 of R.A. 9502 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
“SEC. 30. Reportorial and Public Notice Requirements. – 
 
a) The [Secretary of the Department of Health] BOARD shall submit a bi-
annual Monitoring Report of its performance on the implementation of 
this Act to the Office of the President. This report submitted to the Office 
of the President shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation 
within thirty (30) days upon submission. 
X x x x 
 
c) The order of the [President of the Philippines] BOARD imposing 
maximum retail prices on drugs and medicines, including the conditions 
implementing it, shall be published within fifteen (15) days from 
issuance in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. All 
wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors, importers, or traders shall 
have a copy of the order of the [President of the Philippines] BOARD 
and provide the same to their clients and customers for every 
transaction. 
X x x x” 
 
SEC. 12. Appropriations. – The amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos (P 
500,000,000.00) as a trust fund under Section 28 hereof and the amount necessary to 
carry out the functions of the Board shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act.  
 
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. – Should any provision herein be declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of other provisions of this Act.  
 
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other 
issuances of parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.  
 
SEC. 15. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in 
the Philippines. 
 
Approved,