Seeking to address the current shortage of pharmacists in the country.
On Thursday, October 9, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Program for Flexible Supervision of Pharmacies was signed, with the ceremony witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The said MOU was signed by representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the private sector.
The Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Program for Flexible Supervision of Pharmacies, to be jointly implemented by the FDA, the Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy (PRB-PHA), and participating private sector pharmacies, introduces a closely monitored framework that allows for regulatory flexibility while ensuring professional oversight.
Participants in the initiative are Carlos Drugs – Lucena, Inc.; Z.C. Ramthel Corporation (Cecile’s Pharmacy); Actimed, Inc. (Generika Drugstore); Medford RX Solutions, Inc. (MedExpress Drugstore); Mercury Drug Corporation; Rose Pharmacy, Inc.; Southstar Drugstore, Inc.; Joleco Resources, Inc. (St. Joseph Drug); TGP Pharma, Inc.; and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Philippines) Inc.
Under this agreement, the initiative aims to enhance access to essential medicines in community pharmacies, particularly in underserved areas.
The pilot program between government agencies and the private sector seeks to address the current shortage of about 27,500 registered pharmacists across the country, as noted by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), through flexible supervision mechanisms—including telepharmacy and video supervision.
This will enable licensed pharmacists to remotely supervise multiple community pharmacies, effectively expanding their reach without compromising safety and quality standards.
Under the MOU, the FDA will also provide regulatory guidance, issue necessary clearances, and oversee the compliance of participating pharmacies with Republic Act No. 10918 (the Philippine Pharmacy Act of 2016) that requires one registered pharmacist for every pharmacy.
The initiative will run from 2025 to 2027, with potential pilot areas including Caloocan, Manila, Abra, Ilocos, La Union, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Iloilo, Negros, and Misamis.