HEALTH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1998

Republic Act No. 8503

Summary of Republic Act No. 8503 (Health Research and Development Act of 1998)

Declaration of Policy (Section 2)
- The State shall establish a center for excellence for health research and development to improve the quality of life for every Filipino.

Creation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Section 3)
- The NIH is created and established at the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila.
- It shall serve as the coordinating and integrating body of existing research institutes in UP Manila, such as the Institute of Ophthalmology, Institute of Socio-Biomedical Research, Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology for Health, Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, and other institutes and health research programs subsequently created.

Objectives of the NIH (Section 4)
- Promote science and technology research and development in the field of health. (Section 4a)
- Promote the development of study groups and research programs. (Section 4b)
- Establish mechanisms for the dissemination and utilization of research outputs. (Section 4c)
- Complement graduate programs and faculty research human resource training in UP Manila. (Section 4d)
- Ensure that the results of health research and development activities are utilized to improve the health of the people. (Section 4e)

Functions of the NIH (Section 5)
- Integrate and coordinate the development and scope of operation of each institute, research programs, and component units. (Section 5a)
- Organize teams and establish programs that will provide research and development innovations for the improvement of existing technologies, medicines, vaccines, and other health products and instruments. (Section 5b)
- Establish research programs on health promotion, disease prevention, and control. (Section 5c)
- Formulate and conduct research on problems associated with aging, degenerative processes, metabolic studies, prevention and rehabilitation of disabilities, wellness, health communications, health and social science, management of health systems, traditional and complementary medicine, and health policies. (Section 5d)
- Enhance the masters and doctoral pool of researchers and faculty to complement the research and post-graduate program of UP Manila. (Section 5e)
- Provide common research support facilities for its component units. (Section 5f)
- Maximize the utilization of expert support staff. (Section 5g)
- Optimize resource generation and utilization. (Section 5h)
- Establish local and foreign linkages. (Section 5i)
- Receive and manage grants, aid, donations, or any kind of assistance for achieving its objectives, in accordance with the rules and regulations of UP. (Section 5j)
- Propose and allocate the annual budgetary resources for each component unit. (Section 5k)

Component Programs of the NIH (Section 6)
- Health Product Cluster: Undertake scientific and technological efforts to attain self-sufficiency and global competitiveness in the manufacture of health products and devices. (Section 6a)
- Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster: Undertake studies on health promotion, epidemiology and disease patterns, and emerging health problems. (Section 6b)
- Gerontology and Disabilities Cluster: Conduct studies on problems associated with aging, degenerative processes, metabolic diseases, and prevention and rehabilitation of disabilities. (Section 6c)
- Social and Humanistic Studies: Promote an interdisciplinary approach to health research. (Section 6d)
- Health Care System Studies: Explore alternatives to western medicine, formulate health policies, undertake researches on health care components, and promote regional and international linkages for health human resource development. (Section 6e)

Network of Health Research Institutions (Section 7)
- The NIH shall serve as the nucleus of a network of health research institutions.
- The NIH may undertake research studies in partnership with other health research institutions outside of UP.
- Partner agencies shall maintain their identity, objectives, programs, assets, facilities, and equipment under their respective administrative control.
- As partner agencies, health research institutions shall have access to NIH facilities and support services.

Organizational Structure (Section 8)
- The NIH shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall report directly to the Chancellor of UP Manila.
- It shall have a Board of Advisers which shall recommend policy directions for the NIH.

Qualifications of the Executive Director (Section 9)
- The Executive Director shall be a recognized scholar in health research and development.
- The Executive Director shall be appointed and shall serve in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of UP.

Composition and Tenure of the Board of Advisers (Section 10)
- The Board of Advisers shall be composed of:
1. The Secretary of Health as chairman
2. The Chancellor of UP Manila as vice-chairman
3. The Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
4. Two other members who are recognized scholars in health research and development, appointed by the Board of Regents upon recommendation of the President of UP
- The Executive Director shall concurrently serve as Member-Secretary of the Board.
- The Secretary of Health, the Chancellor of UP Manila, and the Executive Director of PCHRD shall serve in an ex-officio capacity.
- The two other members shall serve for a term of two (2) years.

Functions of the Board of Advisers (Section 11)
- Recommend the general directions and determine the priorities and thrusts of the Institutes. (Section 11a)
- Recommend research areas for study and investigation by the Institutes or any of its component units, based on the demands of the health care environment and the needs of the Filipino people. (Section 11b)
- Recommend to the Board of Regents the establishment of component units of the Institutes. (Section 11c)
- Generate resources and obtain logistical and financial support for the programs and component units of the Institutes. (Section 11d)
- Provide advice to the Institutes on any matter relating to the development of a research area and the administration of their research programs. (Section 11e)

Appointment of Faculty and Staff (Section 12)
- The human resource complement of the NIH shall be organized and set-up by the Executive Director in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of UP and upon the approval by the Board of Regents.

Public Access (Section 13)
- The public and other health institutions shall have access to the research findings, facilities, and other resources of the Institutes, as provided in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

Appropriations (Section 14)
- The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the respective component units of the NIH.
- Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for the continued operation of the NIH shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 15)
- Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board of Regents of UP, in coordination with the DOH, the DOST, private and nongovernment organizations involved in health research and development, shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act.

Repealing Clause (Section 16)
- All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity (Section 17)
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.