The call was made by Robert Eugenio, PCPI vice president for the manufacturing sector and head of external affairs at Unilab Inc., during a recent Joint Congressional–ARTA–FDA Forum.
Eugenio urged lawmakers to pass measures that would incentivize local drug manufacturing, saying such policies are critical to ensuring a stable and reliable supply of medicines for Filipinos.
Supply risks
“Recent global developments have clearly shown how vulnerable international supply chains can be,” Eugenio said.
He cited the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical conflicts as examples of disruptions that exposed the risks of relying heavily on imported medicines and raw materials.
“Strengthening local manufacturing is essential to safeguarding the country’s access to essential drugs,” he added.
Regulatory support
PCPI has also called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish Green Lane windows for local manufacturers.
The proposed measure would complement existing Facilitated Registration Pathways (FRP) for imported products, helping decongest regulatory backlogs while providing operational support to domestic producers.
Policy alignment
The group’s appeal aligns with the government’s push to develop globally competitive local industries, including initiatives under the recently enacted Tatak Pinoy Law.
PCPI said strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing would reinforce local value chains and support broader industrial development goals.
ASEAN lessons
The group noted that several ASEAN countries have already advanced their pharmaceutical sectors through coordinated policies.
Thailand offers tax incentives and procurement support for locally produced medicines, while Indonesia combines manufacturing incentives with local content requirements. Vietnam, meanwhile, promotes technology transfer, financing support, and streamlined regulatory processes.
Industry outlook
“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 said.
PCPI reiterated its commitment to advancing the growth of Filipino-owned pharmaceutical firms and helping position the country as a competitive player in the regional healthcare industry. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
