Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10918)
Republic Act No. 10918 shall be known as the Philippine Pharmacy Act.
The Act governs the standardization and regulation of pharmacy education, administration of licensure examinations, registration and licensing of pharmacists, supervision and regulation of pharmacy practice, development and enhancement of pharmacists' professional competence through continuing professional development and research, and integration of the pharmacy profession.
Activities such as preparing, compounding, storing, distributing, selling or dispensing pharmaceutical products; rendering pharmacy services including clinical pharmacy, drug information, medication management; teaching pharmacy courses; chemical and microbiological analyses related to pharmaceutical products; administration of adult vaccines by trained pharmacists; undertaking scientific research involving pharmaceutical products; and other services requiring pharmaceutical knowledge. Activities under paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (i) are exclusive to licensed pharmacists.
A pharmacist is defined as a health professional who has been registered and issued a valid Certificate of Registration (COR) and Professional Identification Card (PIC) by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy.
Must be a Filipino citizen and resident for at least five years, a registered and licensed pharmacist preferably with a master's degree or equivalent, have 10 years active pharmacy practice, not convicted of crime involving moral turpitude, be a member in good standing of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) for at least five years but not an officer or trustee, and not be a faculty or have financial interest in pharmacy schools or review centers at time of appointment.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or from countries with reciprocity laws, be of good moral character, hold a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or equivalent recognized degree, and have completed an internship program approved by the Board.
Candidates must obtain a general weighted average of at least 75%, with no rating lower than 50% in any subject.
Category A establishments require direct and immediate control and supervision of a registered and licensed pharmacist, including establishments that sell prescription medicines and pharmacist-only OTC medicines, engage in manufacture, importation, exportation, or distribution of pharmaceutical products. Category B establishments require supervision and oversight of a licensed pharmacist and include retail outlets selling only household remedies and OTC drugs, satellite institutional pharmacies for employees, certain municipal health units, telepharmacy services, and nontraditional outlets with no prescription medicines or pharmacist-only OTC medicines.
Upon conviction, a fine of ₱250,000 to ₱500,000, or imprisonment from one year and one day to six years, or both at the court's discretion.
Violations of the Act, conviction of crimes involving moral turpitude, unprofessional or immoral conduct, malpractice, incompetence, fraud in acquiring COR or PIC, use of COR in places where pharmacist is not employed, addiction impeding competence, aiding illegal practice, insanity, unethical advertisements, manufacture or sale of counterfeit or adulterated products, and practicing with suspended or expired licenses, among others.