Pursuant to the Government’s thrust towards Universal Health Care (UHC) and in light of the major changes in the pharmaceutical landscape, the Department of Health (DOH), through the Pharmaceutical Division (PD), crafted the Philippine Medicines Policy which would be implemented from the years 2022 to 2030 to mobilize all key players in the pharmaceutical sector to implement evidence-based policies, improve sustainability programs and leverage best practices throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain.

After three long years and five virtual policy dialogues, the Department of Health (DOH), its partner agencies and offices and the patient support groups and civil society organizations finally convened again face to face during the 16th Policy Dialogue on Universal Healthcare and Access to Medicines held on June 9, 2022 at Cocoon Boutique Hotel, Quezon City.

The Department of Health-Pharmaceutical Division (DOH-PD) conducted a face-to-face Program Implementation Review (PIR) and updates on the different programs of the Pharmaceutical Division in Coron Palawan last April 26-28, 2022 after two years of restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DOH Pharmaceutical Division expresses its gratitude to the leadership and concern for poor and vulnerable Filipino patients shown by President Rodrigo Duterte with the passage of two landmark Executive Orders which set maximum retail price to 120 high cost medicines.

A successful initial collaboration of the DOH Pharamceutical Division – Medical Device Unit spearheaded by Dir. Anna Melissa S. Guerrero, MD, MPH (HTA) and Dr. Constante Caluya III, MBA and their Expert Advisory Committee for medical devices and supplies led by Dr. Ronaldo H. Estacio, together with the Health Technology Assessment Division headed by Ms. Anne Julienne Genuino-Marfori, RPh, MSc and their Health Technology Assessment Council chaired by Dr. Marita V. Tolentino-Reyes.