Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS    t¥
Second Regular Session
HousEBILLNo.9853
RECEIVED
JM31
Introduced by REP. Erml0 BEENARDIN0 L. YULO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Department of Health (DOII) has identified renal or kidney diseases as one of the top
ten  causes  of mortality  in  the  Philippines.  In  fact,  millions  of Filipinos  have  suffered renal
disorders over the years. According to the Philippine Renal Disease Registry, the prevalence of
end-stage  chronic kidney disease has  increased over time  in the country,  and the number of
patients beginning dialysis is expected to rise by an estimated ro% each year.
Renal failure can be just as life-threatening and disabling as other silent killer diseases.
Significant problems, such as cardiovascular disease, infections, and anemia, are possible and
can raise  mortality risks.  Many  Filipinos,  especially  those  who  are  impoverished  or  live  in
remote areas, may find it difficult and expensive to receive care for kidney disease.
Erythropoietin  is  a  homone  that  stimulates  red  blood  cell  production  in  the  body.
Erythropoietin levels can be low in dialysis patients with kidney fulure, which causes anemia.
As a result, it is frequently used to treat anemia in dialysis patients with kidney failure. Epoetin
treatment can lessen the signs and symptoms of anemia and improve the patient's wellbeing by
promoting the generation of red blood cells.
However, due to factors including cost and avallability, access to Epoetin treatment and
other necessary medications for kidney failure may be constrained in the Philippines. Patients
with kidney failure who require dialysis and Epoetin injections may have difficulty affording
them, especially if they are not covered by health insurance or government assistance programs.
Patients  in rural  or remote places may face challenges  accessing  dialysis  centers  and
specialized  medical  care,  which  could  hinder their  ability  to  get  Epoetin  and  other  critical
treatments.


This measure intends to provide free Epoetin medication through an apoetin injection for
dialysis treatment of indigent patients in the Philippines. The Epoetin medication stimulates the
production of red blood cells in patients with kidney failure who undergo dialysis.
It is critical to give priority to the supply of inexpensive and accessible treatments for
people suflthng from renal failure, such as Epoetin, to inprove the outcomes and quality of life
for patients undergoing dialysis.
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L. YULO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRE SS
Second Regular Session
HoUsEELLNo.9853
Introduced l]y REP. ENILI0 BERI`IARDINO L. YULO
AN ACT pRovmING FOR FREE EPoETIN INJECTloN FOR DIALYSIS
TREATnmr`IT oF INDIGEI`IT PATIENTS IN THE pELlpplNES, AND FOR OTHER
PURTOSES
Be it erracted by the Seriate and the House Of Rapreserrfutives Of the Philippines in Congress
SECTION 1. Sfoarf rj*Ie. This act shall be known as the "Free Epoetin Treatment Act of
2023„.
SEC.  2. Dec/armrfuou  a/Sla¢e Pulfty7.  It is hereby declared the policy of the  State  to
provide affordable and accessible health care to all Filipinos, particularly those who are indigent
and in need of life-saving treatment such as dialysis. To this end, this act ains to provide free
Epoetin Injection for dialysis treatment of indigent patients in the Philippines.
SEC. 3. De/;»ffiow a/rerus. The following terns as used in this Act shall mean:
(a) Dz.a/ysis - a medical procedure perfomed when the kidneys camot filter waste from
the blood;
a)) Epoezz.# - an artificial form of Erythropoietin, a homone that increases red blood cell
production in the body;
(c) Epoefj.# Jay.ecfro# - a synthetic version of human erythropoietin produced naturally in
the body, primarily by the kidneys;
(d) Jndz.gent Pczfz.e»f - a person who has no visible means of income, or whose income is
insufficient  for  family  subsistence,  as  identified  by  the  Department  of Social  Welfare  and
Development  (DSWD)  or  any  other  government  agency  duly  authorized  to  make   such
determination, based on specific criteria.


SEC. 4. I+o.dsz.ow a/F7iee Epoed.n rricafroe»f. All indigent patients undergoing dialysis
treatment  shall  be  entitled  to  free  Epoetin  treatment,  including  the  cost  of the  medicine,
equipment, and supplies necessary for the administration of the treatment. Indigent patients with
kidney failure and are undergoing dialysis shall be given free Epoetin treatment in govemlnent hospitals
and clinics identified by the Dapartmeut of Health apH).
SHIC.  S.  Implementing  Rules  and  Reguhations.  The  DOH,  in  coordination  with
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and other industries concerned, shall issue the necessary
rules and regulations for the effective inplementation of this Act within a period of ninety (90)
days after its effectivity.
SEC. 6. 4aproprind.ousi The amount necessary to effectively cany out the provisions of
this  Act  shall  be  charged  against  the  current  appropriations  of the  concerned  goverrment
agencies. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued inplementation of this
Act shall be included in the armual General Appropriations Act.
SEC.  7. iRepandz.7Ig Cfo«sa  All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC.  8. Sap¢rabffrty7  Cfazfsc.  In the  event that any provision  of this  Act  is  declared
unconstitutional, the varidity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration.
SEC. 9. E|gr8ct.rty. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,