What are the drug laws in the Philippines?

Answer 1

The regulation of food and drugs in the Republic of the Philippines is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Statutory laws are also in place providing legal basis for the creation of a regulatory agency, the Bureau of Food and Drugs, mandated to ensure the safety, efficacy and good quality of all food and drug products being made available to the general public. The most important of these laws are Republic Act (RA) 3720 "Foods, Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Act", RA 6675 "Generics Act", RA 8203 "Act Prohibiting Counterfeit Drugs", and RA 7394 "Consumers Act." Regulation is achieved through inspection and licensing of food and drug establishments, registration and market monitoring of products, approval of product label prior to marketing, and approval and monitoring of promotions and advertisements. International standards and guidelines such as those recommended by the WHO, USP or BP, FAO and Codex Alimentarius are used as a basis in the formulation and implementation of rules and regulations governing the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, or sale of food and drugs. Compliance with the requirements of good manufacturing practice is the basis criterion for licensing food and drug establishments, while safety, efficacy and good quality are the criteria for registration of products. Although cigarettes are not regarded as food or drug, the labeling and promotion of such is being regulated by the Bureau because of the hazard posed to public health.