Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING A FREE MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 
THE POOR, ESTABLISHING ACCESS SITES IN ALL CITIES AND 
MUNICIPALITIES OF THE COUNTRY, AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The World Health Organization has observed that the major causes of 
death in low income countries can be treated effectively with simple essential 
medicines. However, the medicines are often not available, not accessible or 
not affordable.  
A 2011 study identified insufficient access to low cost, safe, and quality 
essential medicines as one of the issues confronting the Philippine health 
system.1 It observed that there essential medicines are only available 33% of 
the time. It also found that medicines covered by PhilHealth are often not 
available in authorized outlets. Thus, many low-income patients are either 
not treated or face high out-of-pocket expenses for medicines. 
The Department of Health (DOH) has an ongoing free medicine program 
for indigents called Medical Assistance Program (MAP), a program intended to 
provide medical assistance to patients seeking consultation, rehabilitation, 
examination, or otherwise confined in government hospitals. 
1 Faraon, Anthony R.G. (undated). “Improving Access to Medicines Project in the Philippines – the Palawan 
Pilot: A Public-Private Partnership in Addressing Accessibility, Availability and Affordability.” 
July 27, 2022
3:16 pm
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On the other hand, the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD) also provide medical assistance to indigent patients in its Assistance 
to Indiviuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).2 
 
  
While these existing government programs exist to provide medical 
assistance to the poor, there remains an accessibility gap that demands to be 
filled by institutionalizing a free medicines assistance program into 
legislation. 
 
 
This bill seeks to improve the Filipinos’ access to medicines by 
institutionalizing a free medicine assistance program for the poor and 
marginalized and establishing access sites in all cities and municipalities in 
the country. 
 
 
Through this, we are giving the less-fortunate  better chances of survival 
from curable ailments, and thereby improving the overall public health 
outcomes in the country. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
                                                             
2 DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 14, series of 2016. 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING A FREE MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 
THE POOR, ESTABLISHING ACCESS SITES IN ALL CITIES AND 
MUNICIPALITIES OF THE COUNTRY, AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Free Medicine for 
the Poor Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to protect and promote the right to health and well-being of every 
Filipino and to adopt a system of implementing the delivery of free basic 
medicines to those who have less in life in all health facilities in the country, 
giving priority to the underprivileged, ailing, malnourished, elderly, women, 
children, disabled, and the poorest of the poor. 
SECTION 3. Objectives. – This Act pursues the following objectives: 
a) To promote optimal health and well-being of every Filipino by
improved access to medicines; and
b) To address the health needs of the marginalized sectors such as the
poor, malnourished, elderly, women, children, and the disabled
through the establishment of a Free Basic Medicine Assistance
Program in all government health facilities nationwide.
SECTION 4. Establishment of Free Medicine Assistance Program. – There 
shall be established a Free Medicine Assistance Program, hereinafter referred 
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to as the “Libreng Gamot Program,” to be administered by the Department of 
Health (DOH) through government district hospitals, local health units and 
barangay health centers in all cities and municipalities, in coordination with 
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 
 
SECTION 5. Eligible Beneficiaries. – The Libreng Gamot Program shall be 
restricted to qualified poor recipients as certified by the barangay and the 
DSWD officials. 
 
SECTION 6. Availment of Free Medicines. – Free medicines shall be made 
available in all government district hospitals, local health units and barangay 
health centers. These health facilities shall account for all the medicines 
released to qualified beneficiaries through the submission of quarterly reports 
to the DOH. 
 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. – The amount needed for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the 
DOH. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOH, in 
coordination with the DSWD and in consultation with the Philippine Medical 
Association (PMA), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
effectively implement the provisions of this Act within six (6) months of the 
effectivity hereof. 
 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act shall 
be held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,