To enhance access to essential medicine in isolated parts of the country, the government has allowed the use of ‘telemedicine’ to provide for the manpower needs of more pharmacies without compromising public safety.
President Ferdinand Marcos witnessed the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Program for Flexible Supervision of Pharmacies of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and nine pharmacy chains.
The initiative allows licensed pharmacists to remotely supervise multiple community pharmacies.
‘The program aims to address the gap in the availability of registered pharmacists through flexible supervision mechanisms, including telepharmacy and video supervision,’ the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.
Based on data from the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), the country has a shortage of 27,500 registered pharmacists.
Under Republic Act No. 10918 or the Philippine Pharmacy Act, the government is required to have one registered pharmacist for every pharmacy.
The program is expected to be piloted in Caloocan, Manila, Abra, Ilocos, La Union, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Iloilo, Negros, and Misamis and will last until 2027.
The initiative will run from 2025 to 2027, with potential pilot areas including Caloocan, Manila, Abra, Ilocos, La Union, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Iloilo, Negros, and Misamis.
The nine pharmacy chains and community-based establishments which will participate in the program are Carlos Drugs – Lucena, Inc.; Z.C. Ramthel Corporation (Cecile’s Pharmacy); Actimed, Inc. (Generika Drugstore); Medford RX Solutions, Inc. (MedExpress Drugstore); Mercury Drug Corporation; Rose Pharmacy, Inc.; Southstar Drugstore, Inc.; Joleco Resources, Inc. (St. Joseph Drug); TGP Pharma, Inc.; and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Philippines) Inc.