Proposed Drug Committee will enhance PH's access to health technologies – PPPI

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A MORE agile, responsive system for approving life-saving medicines could soon become reality, as the Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) backed a proposal to establish a National Drug Committee, seen as critical to expanding access to innovative treatments in the country.

IMPROVING SYSTEMS The photo shows Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) President and CEO Undersecretary Maria Blanca Kim Lokin PHOTO FROM PPPI

Speaking at a recent forum, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, PPPI President and CEO Undersecretary Maria Blanca Kim Lokin emphasized the urgent need to reform how medicines and vaccines are evaluated and approved for government use, particularly for preventive care and patients facing complex or life-threatening conditions.

"This proposal could be a game changer for the public health care sector," Lokin said.

She continued, "It allows us to be more proactive in addressing the real-time needs of our population. From the approval of new medications to ensuring that the drugs in our formulary are relevant, up to date and available, this committee could significantly improve access to medicines."

While the Philippine National Formulary ensures that essential, cost-effective drugs are prioritized in public health programs, the stringent process of evaluating health technologies often limits access to newer treatments, posing challenges for the government, especially patients with rare diseases, cancers and other serious conditions that require advanced therapies.

Currently, before a new medicine can be procured by the government, it has to go through a rigid approval process in the Health Technology Council (HTAC), under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The assessment process ideally should take an average of one to two years, but the DOST is now facing many challenges in evaluating health technologies, resulting in significant delays and backlog. However, the undersecretary clarified that the proposed drug committee is not meant to replace the HTAC but only to unburden it and relieve it of its current situation.

PPPI is taking a broader role in closing this gap. With its mandate under Republic Act 9502, the agency is pushing for reforms across the pharmaceutical value chain from procurement and policy to delivery and public education.

Among its flagship initiatives is the Botika at Bakuna Para sa Mamamayan or BBM Pharmacy, which brings affordable medicines and vaccines to underserved communities. These pharmacies also function as information hubs, where trained pharmacists offer guidance on both essential and advanced treatments.

PPPI is also preparing to launch mobile pharmacies, equipped with cold storage and solar power, to reach geographically isolated communities. Additionally, a new agreement with Clark International Airport Corp. will establish a pharmaceutical logistics hub to improve the speed and efficiency of medicine distribution, especially for products requiring cold chain management.

Beyond physical access, Lokin also highlighted the importance of building public trust.

"Access is not enough. We must also build confidence, especially in vaccines and newer therapies, as misinformation continues to be a barrier to public health," she said.

Through these efforts and its support for a more responsive drug approval framework, PPPI is aligning itself with the government's broader vision for a more inclusive, equitable health care system — one where every Filipino has access not just to medicines but to the most effective treatments available.