Overview: A National Push for Medicine Security
The Philippines is taking concrete steps to strengthen its medicine security in the post-pandemic era. A recent public forum organized by the Philippine Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industries (PCPI) focused on how targeted reforms and robust public-private partnerships can bolster domestic pharmaceutical capacity and reduce heavy reliance on imports. The discussions highlighted a shared view among lawmakers, regulators, and industry leaders that medicine security is essential to public health and national resilience.
Legislative and Regulatory Needs: A Whole-of-Government Effort
Congressman Ciriaco Gato, chair of the House Committee on Health, outlined a holistic approach to dismantle barriers within the local pharma sector. He emphasized addressing regulatory bottlenecks, counterfeit risks, high production costs, and the bias toward imports. “We in Congress are cognizant of the numerous concerns that plague the local pharma industry. Regulatory bottlenecks, the prevalence of counterfeits, the high cost of production, reliance on and apparent bias for imports are among issues that must be addressed in the exercise of Congress’ legislative oversight powers,” Gato stated. He also underscored the committee’s commitment to reviewing executive issuances that restrict the local pharma industry from delivering medicines that meet the population’s health needs.
Market Dynamics: Balancing Opportunity and Structural Gaps
Corazon Dichosa, Executive Director of the DTI-Bureau of Investments, presented data that illustrate both opportunity and a structural imbalance. The local pharmaceutical sector is valued at about US$4.5 billion with an expected 4.1% annual growth through 2029. Yet the country remains heavily import-reliant: only 46 manufacturers versus 650 importers, and limited outbound pharmaceutical exports. This snapshot highlights why reforms are urgent. As the COVID-19 era underscored, export restrictions during crises can disrupt supply chains. While lessons have been acknowledged, practical strides toward local manufacturing have lagged until now, reinforcing the urgency for coordinated reforms that can unlock domestic capacity and resilience.
Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Modernization
FDA Director General Paolo Teston framed medicine security as a dual obligation: safeguarding public health and reinforcing national resilience. “Medicine security is not only a public health concern but a matter of national resilience. We have learned from recent global health crises that ensuring access to safe, effective and affordable medicines are as critical as safeguarding our food supply or securing our borders,” Teston said. He added that supply availability must be balanced with robust quality standards: “For the FDA, it is also about the safety, efficacy and quality of every health product that reaches the Filipino people. We will ensure that every tablet, capsule or vial that reaches the Filipino people have undergone the most rigorous scientific review and uncompromising evaluation.”
Teston also outlined a roadmap to ease regulatory barriers while preserving safety: digitalization, reliance on credible regulatory authorities, and an expanded regulatory workforce to reduce backlog. These steps are expected to streamline processes for domestic manufacturers and make it more feasible for them to compete with imports without compromising patient safety.
Private-Public Collaboration: A Catalyst for Change
PCPI President Dr. Lloyd Balajadia stressed that meaningful reform will require sustained private-public collaboration. “Only private-public partnership can drive progress and with new leaders coming in, it is possible,” he said. Balajadia envisions a broader strategic role for the Philippine pharmaceutical sector in national development—transforming it into a conduit for economic diplomacy just as Filipino nurses are today advancing the country’s image abroad. In his view, closer alignment between development goals and health policy could create a virtuous cycle of investment, job creation, and improved access to medicines.
Strategic Pathways: Mutual Recognition and Regional Growth
One of the forum’s key takeaways is the potential of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) to accelerate regulatory approvals and facilitate market access for Philippine firms into ASEAN and other regions. By simplifying cross-border recognition of quality standards and regulatory assessments, MRAs can help Philippine manufacturers reach new markets and reduce dependence on imported medicines. PCPI, as the country’s largest association of pharmaceutical firms—comprising many Filipino-owned companies—emphasizes that MRAs and similar mechanisms should be central to policy discussions, ensuring the domestic industry can scale and compete globally while meeting patient needs at home.
Looking Ahead
The dialogue among Congress, the FDA, the DTI, and PCPI marks a turning point in the Philippines’ approach to medicine security. If implemented effectively, the reforms could decrease import dependence, strengthen local manufacturing, and deliver safer, more affordable medicines to Filipinos. The forum underscored that the path forward hinges on collaborative governance and a shared commitment to turning political intentions into practical, patient-centered outcomes.
