Senator Francis Tolentino has appealed to the government to speed up the establishment of pharmaceutical manufacturing zones to ensure the public's access to cheaper medicines and help boost the country's economic growth.
Tolentino recently filed proposed Senate Resolution No. 580 urging the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Board of Investments (BOI) to fast-track its construction of pharmaceutical zones.
In filing the measure, he pointed out the "urgent demand to further develop the medical industry of the country to effectively respond to the needs of our people, especially those in the marginalized sectors".
He cited Pulse Asia's September, 2019 survey showing that 99 percent of Filipinos could not buy prescription medicines due to their high costs.
"The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has revealed major
challenges to the Philippines' healthcare system," he said in the resolution.
In his appeal, Tolentino noted the country's potential as one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the ASEAN region.
He said the Philippines already has set up a "strong" drug manufacturing base with some of the world's top pharmaceutical companies already operating in the country.
He also mentioned the First Bulacan Industrial City, dubbed as the "Pharma City of the North", which houses several multinational pharmaceutical firms. The PEZA is planning its expansion.
"The pharmaceutical industry in the Philippines has been at the forefront in the treatment and management of communicable and noncommunicable diseases," Tolentino said.
" aids millions of Filipinos in accessing high-quality, affordable essential medicines and vaccines," he added.
He said the establishment of more pharmaceutical manufacturing zones will also help "encourage the growth of the medical industry to spur investments….and fast-track socio-economic growth and infrastructural development."
Citing a report Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), Tolentino said over 60,000 Filipinos are employed in the pharmaceutical industry. It also injects P146 billion in economic output every year, he noted.