Pharmacy Laws in the Philippines

Types of Drugs

• Cannabis americana, hashish, bhang, guaza, churrus, and ganjab are types of drugs.
• Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is commonly known as "Ecstasy".
• Methamphetamine Hydrochloride is commonly known as "Shabu", "Ice", or "Meth".

Dangerous Drug Board

• The Board of Pharma has 1 chairman and 2 members.
• The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is the implementing arm of the DDB.
• The DDB has 17 members.

Members of the DDB

• The Chairman is appointed by the President and has a rank of secretary with a 6-year term.
• 2 other members have ranks as undersecretary, with 1 serving for 4 years and the other for 2 years.
• 1 permanent member is the President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
• 1 permanent member is the Chairman or President of a non-government organization involved in the dangerous drug campaign, appointed by the President.

Penalties

• Penalties for dangerous drugs include life imprisonment and a fine of P10 million to P500,000.
• Penalties for essential drugs include imprisonment of 12 years and 1 day to 20 years, and a fine of P100,000 to P500,000.
• Penalties for possession of materials or equipment for dangerous drugs include imprisonment of 6 months and 1 day to 4 years.

Laws

• RA 6425, also known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, was signed on April 4, 1972.
• RA 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, was signed on June 7, 2002.
• RA 8203, also known as the Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs, was signed on July 22, 1996.
• Other essential laws include RA 8423, RA 7394, RA 7581, RA 9502, and RA 5921.

Pharmacy Law

• RA 5921, also known as the Pharmacy Law, was amended by EO 174 and has a penalty of P1,000 to P4,000 and imprisonment of 6 months to 4 years.
• The law was signed on June 23, 1969.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• RA 9502, also known as the FDA Act of 2009, was signed on August 18, 2009.
• EO 851 and EO 119 reorganized the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to FDA.

Senior Citizens Act

• RA 7432, also known as the Senior Citizen Act, was signed on April 23, 1992.
• RA 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, was signed on February 15, 2010.
• The law provides a 20% exemption with VAT, goods and services from all establishments, for the exclusive use and enjoyment of senior citizens.
• Other benefits include a 5% discount on monthly utilization of water and electricity, and a death benefit assistance of P2,000.

Test your knowledge on various pharmacy laws in the Philippines including RA 5921, Republic Act No. 3720, Republic Act No. 6675, and executive orders related to the regulation of pharmaceuticals. Explore penalties, imprisonment durations, and dates of signing into law.