REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House Bill No,_8464

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Started in 2003, the Botika ng Barangay Program of the DOH has installed 8,525 botika
outlets all throughout the country, which has provided for low-cost, easily accessible over-the-
counter drugs for the everyday Filipino, The FDA on the other hand has, under its supervision,
26,386 drugstores. With 41,943 barangays, the established botikas service only 10% of the country.

As such under this Act, the DOH shall be mandated to establish a pharmaceutical drugstore
in every barangay in the country. This is acting in good faith in the government's commitment in
promoting and preserving the health and well-being of the Filipino people. The botica sa barangay
shall offer drugs included in the core list of the National Drug Formulary. Relatively depressed
areas shall also be given top priority over more affluent ones. To ensure balance and equitability,
other consideration such as geographical conditions and population size shall also be taken into

account.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

. Gary ¢. Alejano


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House Bill No, 8464

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO.

AN ACT.
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BARANGAY DRUGSTORES,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “BOTIKA SA BARANGAY” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled,

SECTION 1. Short Title—This Act shall be known as the “Botika sa Barangay Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.—The State shall protect and promote the right to health of
the people and instill health consciousness among them. Towards this end, the State shall provide
adequate social services and endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services to
every barangay at affordable cost.

SEC. 3. Botika sa Barangay.—The Department of Health shall, within thirty days upon the
approval of this Act, undertake a three year program for the establishment of barangay drugstores or
botika sa barangay (BSB) in every barangay, giving priority to barangays on the basis of
population, poverty incidence, extent of medical and healthcare and/or services, geographical
conditions, financial and other socio-economic factors and such other factors as may be deemed
necessary in the undertaking of the program within the context of the national plans and policies on
social services, health, and medical care

SEC. 4. Establishment of Priority.—The Department of Health shall, in the establishments
of the BSB, undertake prior consultations with the Municipal Development Council concemed:
Provided that, in the establishment of the BSB, highest priority shall be given to those economically
depressed barangays/


SEC. 5. Drugs Available-—The BSB shall make available, only those drugs included in the
core list of the national drug formulary, and the names thereof listed in their respective generic and
trade names made available to the public.

SEC. 6. Botika sa Barangay Aide.—Sale of medicines at the BSB shall be facilitated by an
aide, known as the Botika sa Barangay Aide, who shall be chosen by and trained under the DOH.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations—The DOH shall issue the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. In addition, the DOH shall embark on a
sustained promotional campaign to increase the community’s awareness of the BSB through its
personnel, NGOs, barangay official and print media,

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause.—All laws, executive orders, executive issuances, or letters of
instructions, or any part thereof, inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are

hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

‘SEC. 9. Separability Clause.—tf for any reason, any section or provision of this Act shall
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts thereof not affected shall remain valid.

SEC. 10, Effectivity—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,