Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by: CONG. “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
There were reports regarding fake medicine circulating in the Philippine market following the 
issue of shortages of supplies of paracetamol and other drugs for flu and cold. 
After hoarding and engaging themselves into cartel to manipulate the prices of these medicine, 
now they resort to the sale of counterfeit medicines. 
This bill aims to enhance the enforcement of existing laws regarding counterfeit drugs by 
increasing the penalty in committing such crimes for it is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of Filipino people. 
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
CONG. “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO 
Representative 
1st District, Bulacan 
January 14, 2022
5:24 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by: CONG. “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO 
AN ACT 
ENHANCING THE PROTECTION AGAINST COUNTERFEIT MEDICINE, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE R.A. 8203 
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 “Lingkod Enhance Law on Counterfeit 
Drugs Act of 2022” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby the policy of the State to protect and promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Towards this end, the State shall provide measures to ensure their protection against counterfeit 
drugs. 
SECTION 3. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8203, otherwise known as the “Special Law on 
Counterfeit Drugs”, as amended, is hereby further amended and read as follows: 
“a) imprisonment of not less than one (1) year; but not more than six  (6) years for more 
possession of counterfeit drugs as provided for in Section 4(b)  hereof; or  
b) imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day, but not more than ten (10) years or a fine of
not less than Two hundred and fifty thousand pesos (P250,000) but not more than  Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) or both such imprisonment and fine at the  discretion of
the court in any other case mentioned in Section 4 hereof; or
c) imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day, but not more than two  (2) years
and four (4) months if the counterfeit drug is intended for animals; or
d) imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than ten (10) years
for any manufacturer, seller or distributor who shall conceal, substitute, dispose or destroy
any drug as may have been segregated and sealed by the Bureau or who shall break, alter or
tamper any mark or seal used by the Bureau to identify  those segregated drugs as provided
for under Section 6(a) of this Act. Any other  person who breaks, alters or tampers any mark
or seal used by the Bureau to  identify the segregated drugs shall suffer the penalty of not less
than six (6) months  and one (1) day, but not more than six (6) years imprisonment; or
e) if, as a result of the use of the drug found to be counterfeit, the illness sought to be cured is
aggravated or physical injury or suffering results therefrom, a punishment of imprisonment
from fifteen (15) years to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from Five hundred thousand
pesos (P500,000) to One million pesos  (P1,000,000) shall be meted out; or
f) should a counterfeit drug be the proximate cause of death of a victim, who  unknowingly
purchased and took a counterfeit drug, the penalty of life  imprisonment and a fine of one
million pesos (P1,000,000) to Five million  pesos (P5,000,000) shall be imposed.
In case any act prohibited in Section 4 hereof is also punishable under other laws,  the offender 
shall, if warranted by the evidence, be prosecuted under the law  prescribing the highest penalty.” 
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SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in consultation with the other relevant government 
agencies and stakeholders, shall issue necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions 
of this Act. 
 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the 
same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof. 
 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or portion thereof, which 
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two 
(2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,