New bill will allow DOH to stockpile medical supplies for national health emergencies

A bill allowing the government to stockpile critical medical supplies and drugs for public health emergencies was expedited by the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee on Monday, April 26, 2021.

The proposed “Health Procurement and Stockpiling Act” seeks to create a  bureau under the Department of Health and provide a medical stockpiling fund to make sure the supply of important medical devices and drugs for healthcare emergencies is steady.

Under the new bill, the DOH will be allowed to receive tax and fee-exempt donations.

The Department of Finance, however, recommended to lawmakers that the fund be managed by the Bureau of Treasury instead of the DOH.

The critical functions of the bureau include the following (via Inquirer):

• identification of strategic and critical drugs and medicines, vaccines, devices, and materials needed for public health emergencies that have the distinct capability of being stockpiled in strategic and secure areas of the country;
• supplementation of drugs and medicines, vaccines, devices, and materials to state supplies acting as a stopgap buffer when the immediate supply of adequate amounts of drugs and medicines, vaccines, devices, and materials may not be immediately available;
• ensuring the rotation, replenishment, and freshness of stocks and that there exists at all times steady, available and adequate supply of drugs and medicines, vaccines, devices, and materials, which are essential in responding to public health emergencies;
• lead in facilitating the creation of a conducive environment to encourage pharmaceutical and device self-sufficiency for medical supplies needed by the country;
• spearhead the crafting of a multi-sector National Drug and Device Security Program geared towards the country’s self-reliance in producing drugs and medicines, vaccines, devices, and materials.

“The importance of passing this measure cannot be over-emphasized. We are already experiencing a shortage of medicines and vaccines; this legislation will definitely be a remedy for our struggling supply chain,” said House Health Committee Chairman and Quezon Rep. Helen Tan. (via CNN Philippines)

SOURCE: CNN Philippines, Inquirer