Marcos vows improved medicine, pharmacy access in underserved areas

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the government will continue working with the private sector to improve Filipinos’ access to affordable medicines by now allowing licensed pharmacists to remotely supervise multiple pharmacies in underserved areas.

He made the remarks after witnessing the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding for the Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Program for Flexible Supervision of Pharmacies.

The program — proposed by the Private Sector Advisory Council’s Healthcare Sector in March this year — seeks to address a shortage of 27,500 registered pharmacists by tapping flexible supervision mechanisms like telepharmacy and video supervision.

The pilot program will allow licensed pharmacists to remotely supervise multiple community pharmacies in underserved areas, expanding their reach without compromising safety and quality standards.

“We launched a pilot program with our partners from the private sector to make it easier for Filipinos to buy medicine, especially in areas without a pharmacist,” Marcos said in posts on his social media accounts on Thursday night.

He explained that through telepharmacy, “one licensed pharmacist can now supervise multiple drugstores online.”

“The government and private sector are working together to bring faster service and safer, more affordable medicines to all,” the President added.

The MOU was signed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and stakeholders from the private sector.

The Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Program for Flexible Supervision of Pharmacies will be jointly implemented by the FDA, the Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy (PRB-PHA), and participating private sector pharmacies.

Under the MOU, the FDA will provide regulatory guidance, issue necessary clearances, and oversee the compliance of participating pharmacies with Republic Act 10918 or the Philippine Pharmacy Act of 2016, which requires one registered pharmacist for every pharmacy.

The pilot will run from 2025 to 2027 in potential pilot areas like Caloocan City, Manila, Abra, Ilocos, La Union, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Iloilo, Negros, and Misamis.

There are 10 pharmacy chains and community-based pharmacies participating in the program.

These are: Carlos Drugs – Lucena, Inc.; Z.C. Ramthel Corporation (Cecile’s Pharmacy); Actimed, Inc. (Generika Drugstore); Medford RX Solutions, Inc. (MedExpress Drugstore); Mercury Drug Corporation; Rose Pharmacy, Inc.; Southstar Drugstore, Inc.; Joleco Resources, Inc. (St. Joseph Drug); TGP Pharma, Inc.; and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Philippines) Inc. — JMA, GMA Integrated News