With certain genetic type involved in heart disease in Filipinos, you can get some idea of which molecular targets should be good for the development of new drugs,” said Ms. Ma. Luisa Daroy, Scientist I, Research and Biotechnology Division of the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) during the Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium (MMHRDC) Research Forum for World Heart Day last October 10, 2012 at the Adamson University.

The genetic uniqueness of each individual is reflected in the different signs of heart disease in a patient. Knowing one’s genetic profile provides deep insight into the biological dynamics of heart disease which can guide the doctors in managing their patients.

"In a disease-focused research, the key component is a combination of medical informatics, systematized specimen archiving, and genetic profiling,” explained Dr. Daroy.

To determine the genetic profile of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients observed at the Heart Institute in SLMC, the Genomics and Cardiovascular Medicine Initiative (GCMI) of SLMC embarked on a long-term program of research that covers Cardiovascular Disease Information System (CVDIS), GCMI Biobank and CVD Genomics Research.

"We integrated this to facilitate our genetic variation profiling where genomics work in response to the lack of genetic data on Filipinos in the web. If we look at the genetic data on the internet, you will see that it is really voluminous and there are very large scale efforts to document the genetic variations in different population. But sadly for Filipinos, it is very sparse,” reported Ms. Daroy.

To address the situation, the SLMC created the first component of this integrated approach which is the CVDIS. This involves the electronic archiving of patient information, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, treatment regimes and clinical outcomes. This informatics accompanies the systematic collection of blood samples from patients who were examined at SLMC for coronary artery disease (CAD).

According to Ms. Daroy, researchers isolated serum, plasma and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from the blood samples of patients. Specimen quality is assessed periodically to ensure its usefulness for research.

“Our patients were required to sign informed consent prior to enrolment in the GCMI Biobank. We have several review process. All patients were made to understand that they can withdraw their samples from the Biobank at any time,” clarified Ms. Daroy.

Patient DNA is then analyzed for genetic variations, specifically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in several genes that have been previously reported to be associated with CAD. Allele and genotype frequencies are calculated and usefulness of a SNP as risk factor for CAD is assessed statistically. Researchers used TaqMan Genotyping System which is a faster, cheaper and more efficient way of doing the genotyping.

Ms. Daroy said, “This is an initial report on the first genomics data generated on Filipinos with CAD. This patient-centered strategy for research produces a wealth of information that enriches evidence-based medicine with previously unforeseen options for health promotion, preventive care, risk reduction and appropriate cure.”

The 2015 Program Complementation Activities of the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) thru the Research Utilization Committee (RUC), has successfully completed the Regional Research Contest and Research Exhibit Caravan Program last February 27, 2015 at the Alumni Center of Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation Inc., San Carlos City Pangasinan with the theme “Complementing Integrity in Health thru Standard and Quality Health Researches”. This contest aims to (1) provide professional and student researches as a good avenue for health research utilization and dissemination (2) strengthen collaboration between researchers and institutions (3) promote quality health researches as parameters to quality, safe and efficient health care in this increasingly difficult health condition especially the marginalized communities and (4) tap potential researchers towards health both students and professional alike and bring out their maximum talents.

Less than 200 participants, whom are mostly students and professional attended the said activity. Participants were from Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU), Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Northwestern University (NWU), Pangasinan State University (PSU), Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC), University of Northern Philippines (UNP),Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation Inc. (VMUF), and Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).Other participants (non-member institutions) were from  Collegio de Dagupan, University of Pangasinan, Lorma Colleges and St. Paul Colleges (Vigan City). These participants, together with the R1HRDC Chair & Members were warmly welcomed by the Drum and Bungle Corps of VMUF. The program started with the ribbon cutting for the Research Exhibit Caravan and Poster Competition, followed by the invocation and Philippine National Anthem led by the Drum and Bugle Corps of VMUF. Dr. Ma. Lilia Posadas-Juan, University President delivered her welcome remarks and the response was given by Dr. Mercita Queddeng, Chairman of RUC. An inspirational message came from the woman behind the success of R1HRDC, Dr. Maria Lourdes K. Otayza. This was followed by the awarding of Certificates of Appreciation and token to Dr. Ma. Lilia Posadas-Juan by the chairman of the Consortium and other chairs from different committees.

During the Regional Research Contest, under Professional Category, out of the 69 entries submitted, only five (5) papers were qualified for the Oral Presentation and five (5) papers for Poster Exhibit Contest. Under the Student Category, in which more than 80 entries were submitted, and only six (6) papers and eight (8) papers were qualified for Oral Presentation and Poster Exhibit Contest, respectively simultaneous presentations were done during the contests. The members of the Technical Panel for the Oral Presentation (Professional Category) were Dir. Armando Ganal from DOST, Dr. Jose B. Orosa III from MMMHMC and Mr. David Livingstone Ramos from LNU while Dr. Rolando Navarro from UNP, Dr. Larguita Reotutar and RUC members were the technical panel members for the Poster Exhibit Contest. For the student category the Evaluators for Oral Presentation were Dr. Hilarion Maramba from R1MC, Dr. Geraldine Casipit from CHED and Dr. Unity H. Cortez from ITRMC while for the Poster Exhibit Contest, the members of the Technical Panel were Dr. Nora P. Benavides from PSU, Dr. Cecilia Villamor from DMMMSU and RUC members.

The Research Exhibit Caravan showcased four (4) completed research paper funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).

The activity ended profitably with the awarding of winners and consolation prizes to the participants.

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to institutionalize the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS).

The authors of House Bill 6735 are Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite), Angelo Palmones (Party-list, Agham), Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao).

Angara said it is important to build the country's capability for research and development because it can fuel the necessary innovation that will lead to a responsive and efficient health care system.

"The country must provide for a favorable research environment wherein government agencies, non-government organizations, public and private hospitals, academic institutions and private agencies can optimize their research activities," Angara said.

Palmones said the PNHRS is a framework of cooperation and resource sharing of the core agencies and stakeholders in health research anchored on the principles of inclusiveness, participation, quality, equity, efficiency and effectiveness.

"The bill will promote good governance in research towards high performing and ethical health research organizations and to establish a realistic system that shall strengthen national and international networking partnerships for health research development," Palmones said.

Under the measure, the PNHRS is institutionalized within the mandate of the Philippine Council for health Research and Development (PCHRD), the national coordinating body for health research.

The PNHRS was initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Health in 2003 and 2007. 

The regional health research system shall be created in all regions and will address concerns relating to health research agenda, development of human resource in health research, conduct of researches, dissemination of research results, research utilization, resource mobilization, leadership and management.

The DOST - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the University of the Philippines, Manila-National Institutes of Health (UPM-NIH) shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of under the proposed act.

Other authors of the bill are Reps. Maranon III, Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo), Randolph Ting ((3rd District, Cagayan), Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2nd District, Sorsogon), Philip A. Pichay (1st District, Surigao del Sur), Eufranio Eriguel (2nd District, La Union), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (1st District, Makati City), Imelda Calixto Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City), Daisy Fuentes (2nd District, South Cotabato), Romero Federico Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District, Cebu), Herminia Roman (1st District, Bataan), Anthony Rolando Golez, Jr. (Lone District, Bacolod City), Mary Mitzi Cajayon (2nd District, Caloocan City), Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan), Irvin Alcala (2nd District, Quezon), Susan Yap (2nd District, Tarlac), Ma. Carmen Zamora (1st District, Compostela Valley), Jeci Lapus (3rd District, Tarlac), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party-list, Bagong Henerasyon), Jane Castro (2nd District, Capiz), and Ako Bicol Party-list Reps. Alfredo Garbin, Jr., Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe.

A two-day workshop for Applied Ethics in Research was held on June 18-19, 2014 at the Playa Tropical, Currimao, Ilocos Norte. The twenty-three participants, who attended the workshop, are mostly Medical Practitioners and members of the Ethics Review Committee from R1Medical Center, ITRMC, MMSU, MMMH, UNP, DMMMSU including the representatives of their partner agencies like the CHR, POPCOM, DOH, NNC, DOST, and PCHRD.

The workshop consisted of a Pre-Test; 9 Lectures; 5 Small Group Works (SGW) which varied from Discussions, Self-Discernment and Role Play; Plenary Sessions in the form of Previews, Presentations and Critiques; Individual Reading and Assignment; a Post Test Evaluation; and Daily and Final Workshop Evaluation.

The workshop started at 2:00 PM with the administration of a pre-test on Research Cognitive Valuation. This was immediately followed by a short introduction on the workshop goals and quick run through of the program schedule.

Dr. Rosario Angeles T. Alora and Dr. Evangeline O. Santos, who are both from the Research Ethics Board of UP Manila, were the Main Resource Speakers/Facilitators of the said Workshop.

During the first day of the workshop, Dr. Alora gave Lectures 1, 2 and 6 which pertained to Introduction to Ethics in Research, Ethical Research, and Valuing the Person as Equal to Others: Justice, respectively.

Dr. Santos, on the other hand, delivered Lectures 3, 4 and 5 anent Valuing the Person as an End: Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, and Valuing the Person as one with Dignity: Autonomy.

On the second day, Dr. Alora discussed Lecture 7 relative to Ensuring Ethical Research Controls, while Dr. Santos delved on Lectures 8 and 9 about the The Institutional Ethics Review Committee and The Ethical Researcher, respectively.

Shortly thereafter, each of the participants shared their personal limitations/hindrances as well as their plan of action/recommendations on how they can improve as a researcher or member of the committee.

The workshop was conducted to provide an avenue for the aforesaid participants to dialogue and guide regarding the moral dimensions of research; to help the participants evaluate ethical research, specifically to sensitize them on the basic concepts, to apply the concepts to avoid, recognize and correct issues; to describe the different controls for Ethics in Research focusing on the Phil Health Research Ethics Board, Institutional Research Ethics Committee and the Researcher; and to motivate the participants to do and advocate quality ethical research.