Medical Products, Vaccines and Technologies

Equitable access to essential medical products, vaccines and technologies is provided by a well-functioning health system. Aside from equitable access, they should be safe, high quality, cost effective, scientifically sound and provide cost effective use.

Access to quality essential medicines is still an issue in the Philippines, despite the significant and creative initiatives over the last years to close the gap. Medicines account for around 50% of out of pocket health expenditures. The cost of any outpatient medicines has to be shouldered by the patient. The distribution system is highly fragmented. The availability of key essential medicines in the public facilities is around 25%. Also, access to quality affordable medicines is a major challenge in the Universal Health Care ambition of the country.

To address this challenge, WHO and other partners are supporting the Department of Health (DOH) and attached agencies to protect the public health from substandard and counterfeited medicines, to increase access to medicines while containing costs, ensure efficiency of supply chains and proper use of medicines.