Director General Rowena Candice M. Ruiz welcomed representatives of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) during a courtesy meeting to discuss possible areas of collaboration in addressing procurement and supply chain challenges affecting access to innovative medicines, vaccines, and medical devices.
Director General Ruiz emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in identifying procurement concerns and developing practical approaches that respond to the needs of the healthcare sector while remaining consistent with the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA).
The discussion covered possible approaches to improve procurement efficiency and supply continuity, particularly through multi-year contracts, pooled procurement, and the use of appropriate selection criteria, including the Most Advantageous Responsive Bid and Most Economically Advantageous Responsive Bid.
The proposed areas of collaboration include a consultative workshop that would bring together relevant government agencies, healthcare institutions, regulators, local government stakeholders, and industry to discuss procurement and supply chain challenges and explore practical approaches within the NGPA framework. The discussions also seek to examine how quality considerations may be appropriately reflected in the procurement of medicines, vaccines, and medical devices.
Director General Ruiz expressed her full support for continued dialogue with PHAP and other stakeholders, stressing the value of evidence and actual implementation experience in informing procurement policy and practice. She highlighted the importance of bringing the relevant stakeholders together to identify workable solutions that strengthen procurement efficiency, supply continuity, and access to quality and innovative healthcare products.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing interest in continuing discussions and exploring appropriate entry points for collaboration in advancing responsive and effective healthcare procurement under the NGPA.