FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced bv Senator Antonio “Sonnv” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 6675, otherwise known as the Generics Act of 
1988 by strictly requiring that only generic names of drugs be written in medical 
prescriptions by all medical, dental, and veterinary practitioners. 
After twenty years since its enactment, the so-called “true generics” still account for a 
measly three percent of nominal drug sales in this country. Prices of branded medicines 
should decrease by 50-60 percent when a generic equivalent is introduced in the market 
- 
but only if consumers start buying the latter in sizeable quantities, thereby putting a 
challenge before the branded-drug makers.’ Although the framers of the Generics Drugs 
Act have attempted to cover all bases to ensure that generics brand will compete squarely 
in the market vis-a-vis the more expensive, well-known brands, the law has not 
empowered the Filipino people enough. 
The shortcoming falls mainly on the implementation of the law insofar as Section 6, on 
who shall use Generic Terminology, is concerned. Although the procurement of generic 
brand is strictly observed, by virtue of EO 49 (1993), which directs the mandatory use of 
the Philippine National Drug Formulary as basis for government’s drug procurement, the 
provision on the prescription of generics brand is weakly executed due to poor 
monitoring and to medical practitioners’ refusal to comply with the law. Furthermore, 
while the law compels doctors to issue generic prescriptions, it also allows them to 
continue prescribing the branded equivalent of their choice, the net effect of which has 
been to nullify generics altogether? It is in this light that this legislation seeks to amend 
the Generics Act by mandating the exclusive use of generics medicine. It is hoped that 
with the passage of this bill, the Filipino inasses can now enjoy their right to health. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
ANTONIO “SONNY” F. TRILLANES 
Senator 
’ Pabico, Alecks New Rx needed for generics movement. Information retrieved from: 
h t t u : / / m . p c i j . o r d d m l .  Retrieved on: 15 July 2008. 
’ 
Quoted from Undersecretary Alexander Padilla, Department of Health. Ibid. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THAT ONLY GENERIC NAMES OF DRUGS BE WRITTEN IN 
MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NUMBERED 6675, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE GENERICS ACT OF 
1988 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philrppines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 6675, otherwise known as the 
Generics Act of 1988 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
SECTION 6. Who Shall Use Generic Terminology. - 
a. All government health agencies and their personnel as well as other 
government agencies shall use ONLY generic terminology or generic names in 
all transactions related to purchasing, prescribing, dispensing and administering of 
drugs and medicines. 
b. All medical, dental and veterinary practitioners, including private practitioners, 
shall write prescriptions using the generic name ONLY. [The brand name may be 
included if so desired.] 
NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT A 
PRACTITIONER 
FROM 
INFORMING 
A 
PATIENT 
OF 
HIS 
PROFESSIONAL 
OPINION 
AS 
TO 
THE 
CAPABILITIES, 
EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCEPTABILITY OF AN EQUIVALENT DRUG 
OF THE SAME GENERIC NAME, IF, IN HIS OPINION, IT IS TO THE 
BEST INTEREST OF HIS PATIENT.” 
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c. Any organization or company involved in the manufacture, importation, 
repacking, marketing and/or distribution of drugs and medicines shall indicate 
prominently the generic name of the product. In the case of brand name products, 
the generic name shall appear prominently and immediately above the brand 
name in all product labels as well as in advertising and other promotional 
materials. 
d. Drug outlets, including drugstores, hospital and non-hospital pharmacies and 
non-traditional outlets such as supermarkets and stores, shall inform any buyer 
about any and all other drug products having the same generic name, together 
with their corresponding prices so that the buyer may adequately exercise, his 
option. Within one (1) year after approval of this Act, the drug outlets referred to 
herein, shall post in conspicuous places in their establishments, a list of drug 
products with the same generic name and their corresponding prices. 
SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 3. Repeallng Clause. - Section 6 of Republic Act No. 6675, otherwise 
known as the Generics Act of 1988, and all laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
executive orders, rules or regulations contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of 
this Act, are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 4. Effectivi@ Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Oficial Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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