AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH SYSTEM

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 10532 (Philippine National Health Research System Act of 2013)

Declaration of Policy (Section 2)
- The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people, instill health consciousness, and improve quality of life through health research and development initiatives.

Definitions (Section 3)
- Defines key terms such as "health", "health research stakeholders", "National Unified Health Research Agenda", "Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)", "Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB)", "Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS)", "Regional Health Research Systems", and "research".

Institutionalization of the PNHRS (Section 4)
- The PNHRS, initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding between the DOST and DOH in 2003 and 2007, is institutionalized within the mandate of the PCHRD.

Objectives of the PNHRS (Section 5)
- The PNHRS aims to:
• Ensure that health research is linked to the health system needs. (Section 5a)
• Ensure that investments in health research yield the most benefit. (Section 5b)
• Promote good governance among health research organizations through an efficient, effective, transparent and ethical health research management system. (Section 5c)
• Engage in national and international partnerships and networks for health research development. (Section 5d)
• Ensure sustainability of resources for health research. (Section 5e)

Composition of the PNHRS (Section 6)
- The PNHRS shall be composed of the Governing Council, the Steering Committee, the Technical Working Committees, and the Secretariat.

The PNHRS Governing Council (Section 7)
- The PCHRD Governing Council shall be the Governing Council of the PNHRS, composed of representatives from various government agencies and the private sector.

Powers and Functions of the PNHRS Governing Council (Section 8)
- The Governing Council shall:
• Set policies and directions for the PNHRS. (Section 8a)
• Periodically review and approve the long-term plans and programs of the PNHRS. (Section 8b)
• Evaluate and approve the National Unified Health Research Agenda, and identify areas that will serve as the foci of the National Health Research Agenda. (Section 8c)
• Review, approve or disapprove research programs. (Section 8d)
• Create committees as needed to facilitate and ensure the achievement of its objectives. (Section 8e)

The PNHRS Secretariat (Section 9)
- The PCHRD Secretariat, headed by an Executive Director, shall serve as the PNHRS Secretariat and provide technical and administrative support in various areas.

Creation and Functions of the Steering Committee (Section 10)
- The Governing Council shall create a Steering Committee, headed by the PCHRD Executive Director and composed of representatives from various government agencies.
- The Steering Committee shall:
• Recommend policies to the Governing Council. (Section 10b1)
• Perform oversight function on the implementation and harmonization of the PNHRS activities and the allocation of the PNHRS fund. (Section 10b2)
• Coordinate and harmonize the activities of the Technical Working Committees. (Section 10b3)
• Monitor and report to the Governing Council the progress of the PNHRS programs. (Section 10b4)

Creation of the Technical Working Committees (Section 11)
- The Governing Council shall create Technical Working Committees aligned with research themes based on the country's health needs and the six building blocks of the WHO to attain universal health care.
- The Committees shall develop and monitor their respective strategic plans and work closely with stakeholders and the Secretariat.

The Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) (Section 12)
- The PHREB shall ensure adherence to universal principles for the protection of human participants in research and perform various functions related to ethical conduct of human health research.

Regional Health Research Systems (Section 13)
- The PNHRS framework shall be mirrored in all regions of the country, forming a network of regional research consortia to address concerns related to health research.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountabilities and Annual Report (Section 14)
- Regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms shall be done by the Governing Council through the Secretariat to determine the accountabilities of the PNHRS to the contributing agencies.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 15)
- The DOST-PCHRD, DOH, CHED, and UPM-NIH shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within 60 days after its effectivity.

Separability Clause (Section 16)
- If any provision is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law shall remain valid and subsisting.

Repealing Clause (Section 17)
- Any law, presidential decree, executive order, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Effectivity Clause (Section 18)
- This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.