PGH expert optimistic approval of new cancer meds to hasten with HTAC transfer to DOST

The chief of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Cancer Institute believes that the approval of new medicines for cancer will speed up with the recent transfer of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). PGH Cancer Institute Head Dr. Jorge Ignacio said that he is optimistic that more medicines for cancer will soon be added to the country’s drug formulary with the transition of HTAC to DOST. “I am optimistic with that… So I'm confident na meron ng madadagdag (that more will be added),” said Ignacio in a forum on Thursday, March 23. “I think you've seen a lot already in the past few months na meron ng naka-add na wala dati doon (that there are those added [in the formulary]). Na fast track na yung ibang drugs ([Approval of]  other drugs has been fast tracked), especially for breast cancer,” he added. Aside from medicines, Ignacio also encouraged HTAC to fast track the review and evaluation of those pharmaceutical companies expressing intent to conduct clinical trials or research  in the country. “That is where we should work on also. Kailangan maging madali para sa mga  (It needs to be simple for) pharmaceuticals to bring the research to us---yung mga clinical research na iyan (those clinical researches),” he said. Once new cancer medicines are approved, Ignacio said that the government can already purchase these kinds of drugs. “Yes, we would like to see it that way na kapag naaprubahan madali na, pwede na bumili,” he said. Ignacio expressed hopes that the government will have funds to procure new medicines for cancer. “The next thing is… meron bang pangbili?  Iyan ang mas tanong natin (do we have funds for that) That would be the real question),” he said. To note, HTAC is mandated to "undertake technology appraisals by determining their clinical and economic values in the Philippine healthcare system." Recently, the DOH transferred the operations of HTAC to the DOST in compliance with the Universal Health Care Law.