Health-Related Laws in the Philippines PDF

HEALTH-RELATED LAWS IN THE PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394 (CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES) - The policy of the State that protects the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare, and establish the standards of conduct for business and industry. To achieve the objective...

HEALTH-RELATED LAWS IN THE PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394 (CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES) - The policy of the State that protects the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare, and establish the standards of conduct for business and industry. To achieve the objectives, the Act aims to protect people against hazards to health and safety, and deceptive and unfair sales acts and practices. In this light, the policy mandates for information dissemination and education to facilitate sound choice and proper exercise of rights by the consumer. Objectives of RA No. 7394 a. protection against hazards to health and safety b. protection against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts and practices c. provision of information and education to facilitate sound choice and the proper exercise of rights by the consumer d. provision of adequate rights and means of redress e. involvement of consumer representatives in the formulation of social and economic policies REPUBLIC ACT 8423 (TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ACT (TAMA) OF 1997) - The policy of the State that provides for the improvement of the quality and delivery of health care services to the Filipino people through the development of traditional and alternative health care and its integration into the national health care delivery system. It aims to provide for the improvement of quality and delivery of healthcare services in the country through the development of traditional and alternative healthcare and its integration into the national healthcare system. The policy also identifies medicinal plants in the country which are readily available. These medicinal plants shall be given care by different agencies. In order to coordinate various activities and programs in the traditional and alternative healthcare delivery system, the Act provisions the establishment of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC) to accelerate the development of the said healthcare in the country. RA 10354 (RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT OF 2012) - A law which guarantees universal access to methods on contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care. FOUR PILLARS OF THE RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT 1. Informed Choice - The Act states that effective and quality reproductive healthcare services, which are ethically and medically safe, legal, accessible, and affordable shall be given primacy to ensure the health of the mother and child. Also, the government shall promote and provide unbiased information and access to these services. This pillar also covers the provision for the integration of reproductive health and sexuality education in schools, and other educational settings. 2. Respect for Life - Act recognizes that abortion is illegal and punishable by law. However, mothers will be identified to have aborted an unborn child will be served with post-abortive treatment and counseling in a humane, nonjudgmental, and compassionate manner. 3. Birth Control - Reproductive healthcare, information, and supplies shall be made available most especially to poor beneficiaries. However, the Act provisions also that the government must respect the citizen’s individual preferences and choices of family planning method. 4. Responsible Parenthood - Couples determine their ideal family size. In addition, the government shall equip each parent with needed information in all aspects of family life, reproductive health, and this pillar. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504 (PHILIPPINE AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998) - The Act promulgates “policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines, instituting a nationwide HIV/AIDS information and educational program, establishing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS monitoring system, strengthening the Philippine National AIDS Council, and for other purposes” (PNAC). The Act also provides for education and information dissemination in various institutions and agencies, safe practice and procedures (testing, screening, and counseling) in health organizations and associations, monitoring of cases with confidentiality, and programs for anti-discriminatory acts (in the workplace, hospitals, and other public institutions). REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165 (COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002) - This protects citizens from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs to their physical and mental well-being. Considered as unlawful acts and are subject to penalties and fines: 1. Importing of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals (narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances) 2. Selling, trading, administering, dispensing, delivering, distributing, and transporting dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals 3. Maintaining a drug den, drive, or resort 4. Manufacturing of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals 5. Manufacturing or delivery of equipment, instrument, apparatus, or other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9211 (TOBACCO REGULATION ACT OF 2003) - This protects people from the sale, use, and advertisements of hazardous tobacco products. It promotes the right to health and instill health consciousness among them. The Act also restricts access to the sale of tobacco products to minors. Tobacco may not be put in a vending machine, unless it verifies age, and may not be sold within 100 meters of a school. Should tobacco be sold, there should be proper  signage that indicates target consumers. The Act provisions the printing of warnings on cigarette packs in either Filipino or English when it comes to advertising and promotions. In addition, health warnings should also be included. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10175 (CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT OF 2012) - The law mandates the prohibition of cybersex, child pornography, unsolicited commercial communications, and computer-related identity theft. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9775 (ANTI- CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ACT OF 2009) - It defines the crime of child pornography. The Act recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, psychological and social well-being. It guarantees the fundamental rights of every child from all forms of neglect, cruelty and other conditions prejudicial to his/her development, protects every child from all forms of exploitation and abuse including, but not limited to: the use of a child in pornographic performances and materials; and the inducement or coercion of a child to engage or be involved in pornography through whatever means. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8949 (ANTI-HAZING LAW) - The Act penalizes those who will go too far during initiation rites of social groups (fraternities or sororities) wherein the “applicant” is subjected to severe physical and emotional pain and suffering. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7719 (NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICES ACT OF 1994) - It aims to promote and encourage voluntary blood donation by the citizenry, provide for adequate, safe, and affordable and equitable distribution of blood and blood products. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9512 (NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND EDUCATION ACT OF 2008) - This Act promotes environmental awareness through environmental education. Various educational agencies, DSWD, DOST, and DENR shall integrate environmental education in their curricula. It shall encompass the concepts and principles, laws, international and national best practices, threats of degradation and its impacts to human well-being, responsibilities of humans in conservation, protection and rehabilitation of resources, and sustainable development through the environment. In addition, environmental education shall also be part of the National Service Training Program (NSTP). REPUBLIC ACT NO 8750 (SEAT BELTS USE ACT OF 1999) - It aims to secure and safeguard passengers and drivers of motor vehicles from injuries and other effects of vehicular accidents. The policy includes the mandatory wearing of seatbelts by the driver and front seat passengers of any running motor vehicle. The Act also prohibits children from sitting in the front seat of any motor vehicle. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10586 (ANTI-DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING LAW) - It penalizes those who will be caught driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and other similar substances. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11332 MANDATORY REPORTING OF NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND HEALTH EVENTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN ACT - It endeavors to protect the people from public health threats through the efficient and effective disease surveillance of notifiable diseases including emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, diseases for elimination and eradication, epidemics, and health events including chemical, radio-nuclear and environmental agents of public health concern and provide an effective response system in compliance with the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR) of the World Health Organization (WHO). The State recognizes epidemics and other public health emergencies as threats to public health and national security, which can undermine the social, economic, and political functions of the State. WAYS ON MANAGING HEALTH ISSUES, TRENDS AND CONCERNS REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165 (COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002) - The Philippine government made policies to address the trends, issues and concerns our country is facing. Here are some of the policies implemented in our country. The government provides protection from these gateway drugs through the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Tobacco Regulation Act. Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 protects citizens from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs to their physical and mental well-being. According to the policy, here are some which are considered unlawful acts and are subject to penalties and fines. a. Importing of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals (narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances) b. Selling, trading, administering, dispensing, delivering, distributing, and transporting dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals c. Maintaining a drug den, drive, or resort d. Manufacturing of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals e. Manufacturing or delivery of equipment, instrument, apparatus, or other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals f. Possessing dangerous drugs, equipment, instrument, apparatus, or other paraphernalia g. Possessing dangerous drugs during parties, social gatherings or meetings h. Cultivating or culturing plants classified as dangerous drugs or sources of such i. Unnecessary prescribing dangerous drugs  REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9211 (TOBACCO REGULATION ACT OF 2003) - Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 protects people from the sale, use, and advertisements of hazardous tobacco products. In order to promote a healthful environment, the Act absolutely bans smoking in public places, most especially in centers of youth activities, elevators and stairwells, fire-hazardous places, within public and private hospitals and medical clinics, airport and other terminals, and food preparation areas. In this light, a designated smoking and non-smoking area should be utilized. The Act also restricts access to sale of tobacco products to minors. Tobacco may not be put in a vending machine, unless it verifies age, and may not be sold within 100 meters of a school. Should tobacco be sold, there should be proper signage that indicates target consumers. When it comes to advertising and promotions, the Act provisions the printing of warnings on cigarette packs in either Filipino or English. In addition, health warnings should also be included. Lastly, the government should provide programs and projects for those who shall be affected by the passing of the Act. One example of this is the tobacco growers. The Act provisions the establishment of a cooperative and assistance program for the said people. PRESENT IMAGES/PICTURES AS EXAMPLES WHILE REPORTING