I. RATIONALE
Administrative Order No. 33 series 2006 was formulated in order to identify areas of collaboration between the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) in relation to the Expanded Drug Access Pilot Program. The main intent of the policy issuance is to provide essential medicines for the operation of selected Botika ng Barangay (BnB) as well as PITC accredited convenience stores, which serve as distribution network of the Botika ng Bayan (BNB) Program. The strategy promotes equity in health by ensuring the accessibility and availability of quality essential drugs. Thus, the cited AO was promulgated to provide a cognitive use of drugs and medicines through rational system of procurement and distribution.
An evaluation of the AOs Implementation suggested that certain fine-tuning should be undertaken especially in the aspect of expediting processes and procedures related to the training of operators and the monitoring of outlets. It has been realized that it would be the better policy to dislodge the responsibility of identifying and accrediting the convenience stores that would constitute the BNB express outlets. DOH, in turn, would provide inter-agency technical assistance to PITC to synergize current strategies. This amendment therefore is to provide a clearer definition of roles and responsibilities of DOH, PITC and other stakeholders.
II. GENERAL GUIDELINES
A. Amendment to Section V (J) of AO No. 2006-0033, which states that:
“(J) The BFAD shall ensure the timely issuance of SLTO in accordance with the conditions set forth in this Order as well as those stipulated in AO 144 s. 2004.”
The foregoing provision is hereby amended and read as follows:
“(J) The BFAD shall ensure the timely issuance of SLTO in accordance with the conditions set forth in this Order as well as those stipulated in AO 144, s. 2004, Provided that, the inspection of the BNB Express Outlet shall not be a mandatory requirement for the issuance of the SLTO, Provided further that inspection shall be conducted as post market surveillance requirement.
For purposes of this Order, the following shall serve as additional requirement for the issuance of SLTO, to wit:
- Business permit from the Local Government Unit (LGU) or from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
- Certificate of training of BNB Express Outlet operator.”
B. Amendment to Section V (K) of AO No. 2006-0033, which states that:“(K) Accredited and licensed BNB Express Outlet owners and/or operators shall only be allowed to sell drugs and medicines after they have successfully undergone a technical training course provided initially by DOH through CHDs.”
The foregoing provision is hereby amended and read as follows:
“(K) Accredited and licensed BNB Express Outlet owners and/or operators shall only be allowed to sell drugs and medicines after they have successfully undergone a technical training course to be conducted by the PITC under the supervision of the CHD. The CHD shall issue a certification after accom- plishment of the training course. The cost of such training shall be borne by the PITC.”
C. The following provision shall be added to Section VI (C) and shall be read as:
“4. Each BNB Express Outlet shall maintain a Record Book/Prescription Book in monitoring the patients for possible adverse effects upon intake of purchased drug from the outlet. This in turn will be reported to BFAD by PITC.”
III. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE
If any provision in these Guidelines, or application of such provision to any circumstances, is held invalid, the remainder of this Order shall not be affected.
IV. REPEALING CLAUSE
The provisions of previous issuances, which are inconsistent with those provided in this Order shall be deemed repealed and modified accordingly.
V. EFFECTIVITY
This Order shall take effect immediately.
Adopted: 05 Feb. 2007
(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III, M.D., MSC.
Secretary of Health
