The Philippine Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. (PCPI), the largest association of Filipino-owned drug companies, has called on the government to adopt policies that strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing, emphasizing that a robust domestic industry is crucial for the country's medical security.
During a recent Joint Congressional–ARTA–FDA Forum, Robert Eugenio, PCPI Vice President for the Manufacturing Sector and Head of External Affairs at Unilab Inc., urged lawmakers to pass legislation that incentivizes local drug production. He noted that such measures are essential to ensure a stable and reliable supply of medicines for Filipinos.
"Recent global developments have clearly shown how vulnerable international supply chains can be," Eugenio said. "The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical conflicts have underscored the risks of over-reliance on imported medicines and inputs. Strengthening local manufacturing is essential to safeguarding the country's access to essential drugs."
PCPI previously called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement Green Lane windows for local manufacturers. This initiative would complement the Facilitated Registration Pathways (FRP) for imported products, helping to decongest regulatory backlogs and provide operational support to domestic pharmaceutical producers.
The industry's appeal aligns with the government's stated policy direction to develop strong local industries capable of competing globally, including recent measures like the Tatak Pinoy Law, aimed at promoting Filipino enterprises and strengthening domestic value chains.
PCPI reiterated its commitment to championing the growth of the local pharmaceutical industry, noting that several ASEAN neighbors have already made significant progress toward building self-reliant, high-value, and investment-ready pharmaceutical sectors.
For instance, Thailand offers investment incentives such as tax holidays and duty exemptions for pharmaceutical manufacturing, coupled with government procurement preferences for locally produced essential medicines. Indonesia combines manufacturing incentives with local content requirements for government-funded health programs, encouraging investment in local production. Vietnam has implemented a national pharmaceutical development strategy focusing on technology transfer, preferential credit, streamlined regulatory pathways, and public procurement support for domestically manufactured medicines.
"With the right policies, the Philippines can also build a resilient pharmaceutical manufacturing base that supports public health, generates quality jobs, and attracts long-term investments," Eugenio emphasized.