EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2482
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Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC 
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15, Articie II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
'The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health and consciousness among them."
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a severe auto-immune connective tissue 
disease in which antibodies are generated to a range of autoantigens. It triggers 
inflammation in the different tissues of the body particularly when the immune system 
attacks its own tissue. There is no cure for SLE however medical interventions and 
lifestyle changes can help control it.
The proposed bill seeks to promote awareness and information for the public regarding 
SLE and to strengthen research and development to support and manage treatment 
of this disease. The increased awareness will encourage understanding, early detection 
and intervention which are critical in alleviating symptoms
Upon these considerations, the prompt passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2482
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RECEIVED
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INDEX
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC 
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Lupus 
Prevention Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people. As such, the State shall promote awareness 
of the health programs focusing on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) to empower 
citizens suffering therefrom to become, to the best of their potential, independent, 
self-reliant, and productive members of society.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act. "Systemic Lupus 
Erythematosus" (SLE) or "Lupus" shall be construed to mean a chronic autoimmune 
disease where the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in 
inflammation and tissue damage in different parts of the body, but most often 
affecting the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous 
system, as diagnosed by a competent medical practitioner.
Sec. 4. National Survey and Research. - The National Institute of Health (NIH) 
of the Department of Health (DOH) shall conduct an annual survey to determine the 
extent and total incidence and prevalence of persons with SLE in the country for the 
government to provide the necessary health interventions to address the needs faced 
by persons with lupus.
Sec. 5. Integrated Approach to Research in Cooperation with Concerned 
Research Agencies. - Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the 
DOH shall ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the NIH's research 
agenda and that of pharmaceutical corporations or other government agencies 
addressing the issue of lupus.


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Sec. 6. National Program for Lupus Prevention and Treatment - The DOH shall 
implement a comprehensive and nationwide program on lupus prevention and 
treatment with the following objectives:
a) to promote and provide mechanisms for early identification, 
screening, and diagnosis of persons suffering from lupus;
b) to promote public awareness, education, and information on 
issues concerning lupus;
c) to establish sustainable support networ1<s for families of 
persons diagnosed with lupus;
d) to provide referral services to patients for appropriate 
educational and medical expertise and to identify appropriate 
education or medicai facilities suited to the needs of 
patients;
e) to undertake research and collaborate with other institutions 
for the conduct of research activities pertaining to the disease;
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to promote an advocacy discouraging bias against and 
stereotyping of afflicted persons;
g) to provide an avenue for the sharing of best practices on 
issues relating to early detection, prevention, cure, treatment, 
and rehabilitation of persons diagnosed with lupus; and
h) to network with other organizations, institutions, and 
professionals working on public programs for persons 
diagnosed with lupus;
Sec. 7. Programs and Service for Lupus Prevention. - The programs and 
services that will be provided by the DOH shall include, but not be limited to, the 
following:
a) orientation and counseling services for families of newly 
diagnosed persons;
b) establishment of national and regional referral services where 
the DOH shall maintain an updated list of health care 
institutions and practitioners concerned with the treatment of 
lupus;
c) publish a newsletter on current developments and research on 
lupus, as well as other reading materials on the early


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detection, prevention, and treatment of lupus, and best 
practices for the care of diagnosed persons;
d) conduct of continuing education and training programs on the 
proper care of diagnosed persons; and
e) establishment of a databank and an information and 
monitoring system on country-specific statistics pertaining to 
lupus.
Sec. 8. Lupus Early Detection and Screening Fees. - The Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation shall include the cost of early detection and screening programs 
for lupus as one of the available benefits to its members. The early detection and 
screening test fees shall be applied to, among others, testing cost, education, follow­
up, and readable overhead expenses.
Sec. 9. Donations and Grants. ~ The DOH, NIH, and other departments of the 
DOH that may thereafter be tasked with the implementation of this Act shall have the 
power to receive donations and grants from local and international donor institutions, 
foundations, and foreign donor agencies, provided that pertinent laws and rules on 
the receipt, accounting, and disbursement thereof shall be complied with.
Sec. 10. National Lupus Awareness Week. - In order to grow national interest 
and participation in the issues and concerns of lupus patients, the first week of May 
shall annually be celebrated as "Lupus Awareness Week." This week-long activity will 
be spearheaded by the DOH, in coordination with other concerned agencies, 
institutions, and stakeholders.
Sec. 11. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel and Service 
Providers on Lupus Prevention and Treatment. - All DOH staff and health providers 
providing health services to persons diagnosed with lupus shall undergo a mandatory 
continuing education and training program to ensure the delivery of up-to-date and 
relevant services.
Sec. 12. Protection Against Forcible Administration of Medical Treatment or 
Enrollment in Programs. - All persons administering treatment, counseling, or 
medication as well as all persons involved in the implementation of the DOH programs 
as mandated in this Act shall respect the right of each patient to determine for himself 
or herself the medical treatment to be administered as well as the programs wherein 
he or she will participate, if any.
Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the 
DOH.
Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the 
date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary implementing 
rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.


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Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall 
remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,