PH Pharma Industry Pain Points Bared

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Secretary Frederick Go, urged concerned national government agencies (NGAs) to address the “pain points” of pharmaceutical industry players and strengthen the country’s manufacturing of healthcare products, according to a PNA report.

The need for related agencies to streamline processes for pharmaceutical companies is being emphasized. I Photo: JG Summit

In his speech, delivered by Undersecretary Jose Edwinel Guilas during a joint briefing of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, Department of Health, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Quezon City, Go emphasized the need for these agencies to streamline processes for pharmaceutical companies.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic adviser highlighted several key issues faced by the pharmaceutical industry, including the bureaucratic nature of existing regulatory policies, difficulties in exporting and importing medicines, and challenges faced by international pharmaceutical companies in investing in the Philippines.

“Can we not consider the certificates of other countries with higher certifying standards as compliance with ours?” Go suggested, noting that this approach could also address the FDA’s lack of manpower and equipment.

Regarding import and export processes, Go mentioned that an administrative order is underway to resolve these challenges.

To facilitate business operations for investors, the government is considering the establishment of an exclusive ecozone for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

“Our office, together with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and FDA, has called a technical working group to make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to set up their operations in economic zones,” Go added.