Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research Development (PCHRD) of the Department of Science and Technology, said two percent of the national budget for health should be allocated to research, as mandated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
However, in the Philippines, only 0.1 to 0.3 percent of the health budget is devoted to health research and development, Montoya said during the weekly Health Forum in Quezon City.
He added that in terms of research ethics, research utilization, research mobilization and research management, the country is way behind the rest of the world.
“In all aspects, we still have a lot of work to do,” Montoya said.
The passing of the PNHRS Act would allow the institutionalization of a Philippine National Health Research Fund (PNHRF) which will provide subsidies for research and development projects, Montoya added.
The PCHRD also said the PNHRS Act will pave the way for cheaper medicines and more efficient health services, promote global competitiveness particularly in biotechnology, and reduce maternal and infant mortality rate in the country.
It will also engage the private health sector to align its research with the PCHRD’s priority agenda, Montoya said.
In the House, Representatives Aurelio D. Gonzales Jr., Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. and Joseph Emilio A. Abaya have filed separate versions of the bill. In the Senate, those who have filed versions of the bill are Senate President Manuel Villar and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
Senator Edgardo Angara has also declared support for the bill, Montoya said.
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As posted from Inquirer.net
Evangelista, Katherine (August 12, 2008). Scientists urge passage of health research bill. Retrieved October 6, 2008, from Philippine Daily Inquirer Online