House panel OKs proposed health procurement, stockpiling bureau

MANILA – A measure proposing the establishment of a Health Procurement and Stockpiling Bureau under the Department of Health (DOH) has hurdled the committee level at the House of Representatives.

The House Committee on Ways and Means approved on Monday the substitute bill to House Bill 6995, which provides for the stockpiling of strategic and critical drugs and medicines, vaccines, devices, and materials for public health emergencies.

The panel particularly approved the tax exemption provisions contained in the bill.

A medical stockpiling fund to support the national drug and device security program shall be established.

The committee has proposed to permit the DOH to solicit and receive grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions, which would be exempted from donor’s tax.

Health Committee Chairperson and Quezon Province Rep. Angelina Tan said the proposed bureau shall serve as the principal agency mandated to undertake a transparent, fair, proactive, and innovative procurement service for the DOH and to stockpile, conserve, and facilitate the release of adequate amounts of potentially life-saving pharmaceuticals, vaccines, devices, and materials in times of public health emergencies.

“The importance of passing this measure cannot be over-emphasized. We are already experiencing a shortage of medicines and vaccines as of (this) speaking, and this legislation will definitely be a remedy for our struggling supply chain,” Tan said.

Consistent with the country’s obligations under international treaties and agreements, drugs and medicines, vaccines, devices, and materials may be obtained from domestic and foreign sources and the procurement thereof shall be open to all eligible suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.

However, in the interest of availability, efficiency, and timely delivery of drugs and medicines, vaccine devices, and materials, the bureau shall encourage the development of domestic sources to ensure steady, available, and adequate supply.