Law Summary
Key Definitions
- Health: Optimal physical, mental, social well-being, and functional ability.
- Health Research Stakeholders: Public and private agencies, policymakers, academe, medical societies, people’s organizations involved in health.
- National Unified Health Research Agenda: Prioritized health research goals aligned with universal health care.
- PCHRD: Sectoral council under DOST directing health science and technology.
- PHREB: Policy body ensuring ethical health research.
- PNHRS: Framework emphasizing inclusiveness, quality, equity, and effectiveness in national health research.
- Regional Health Research Systems: Regional networks mirroring PNHRS.
- Research: Encompasses measuring, understanding causes, developing solutions, applying policies, and evaluating outcomes.
Institutionalization and Objectives of PNHRS
- Formal establishment of PNHRS as the central health research system under PCHRD.
- Objectives include linking health research to health system needs, maximizing investment benefits, promoting good governance, establishing partnerships, and ensuring sustainability.
Composition and Governance Structure
- PNHRS composed of Governing Council (GC), Steering Committee, Technical Working Committees (TWC), and Secretariat.
- GC led by DOST Secretary as Chair and DOH Secretary as Co-Chair, with representatives from CHED, UP Manila, Nutrition Council, PCHRD and private sector.
- GC responsible for policy-setting, agenda approval, program evaluation, and committee creation.
Secretariat and Steering Committee Functions
- Secretariat, headed by PCHRD Executive Director, manages program implementation and provides technical and administrative support in research management, institution development, information dissemination, and finance.
- Steering Committee formed by GC, chaired by PCHRD Executive Director, includes key government agencies and LGU representatives.
- Responsibilities: Recommend policies to GC, oversee program implementation, coordinate TWC activities, and report progress.
Technical Working Committees
- Created by GC based on key health research themes aligned with WHO’s health system building blocks.
- Develop and monitor strategic plans while coordinating closely with stakeholders and Secretariat.
Role of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB)
- Ensures all human health research adheres to universal ethical principles.
- Develops and updates ethical guidelines, oversees ethics review committees, monitors compliance, promotes ethics standards, advises PNHRS, and facilitates national and international networking.
Regional Health Research Systems
- Regional consortia replicate PNHRS framework to address localized health research concerns.
- Functions include setting regional health research agenda, developing human resources, conducting research, disseminating results, utilizing research, mobilizing resources, and providing leadership.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability
- Regular monitoring and evaluation conducted by GC through the Secretariat to ensure accountability to contributing agencies.
- Detailed procedures outlined in implementing rules and regulations.
Implementation and Legal Provisions
- Implementing rules to be promulgated by DOST-PCHRD, DOH, CHED, and UPM-NIH within 60 days after effectivity.
- Contains a separability clause ensuring validity of remaining provisions if parts are invalidated.
- Repealing clause rescinds inconsistent laws, decrees, and regulations.
- Effectivity clause states the Act takes effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.