Law Summary
Construction and Interpretation
- Implementation doubts are resolved by promoting cooperation, collaboration, integration, and convergence of health research efforts.
- Ensures research contributes to evidence-based health-related policies and actions.
Declaration of Policy
- State policy protects and promotes the right to health, health consciousness, and quality of life through health research.
- The PNHRS mission is to create and sustain an enabling environment for health research toward evidence-based health policies.
- PNHRS facilitates stakeholder engagement in the health research community.
Definitions
- Key terms defined: Act, Health, Health Research Stakeholders, Health Research Community, Health System, International Organizations and Networks, National and Regional Unified Health Research Agendas, PCHRD, PHREB, PNHRS, Implementing Institutions, Research and Health Research, Universal Health Care, among others.
- Health research involves multidisciplinary efforts aimed at improving health outcomes, universal health care, and health equity.
Institutionalization of PNHRS
- PNHRS is institutionalized under the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
- Implementing institutions include DOST, DOH, CHED, and UP Manila.
Objectives of PNHRS
- Link health research to health system needs.
- Ensure investments yield maximum benefit.
- Promote good governance in health research management.
- Engage in national and international partnerships.
- Ensure sustainability of resources for health research.
Research Agenda Formulation
- Align research agendas with societal, economic, scientific, environmental, and educational goals.
- National and regional research agendas guide programs, funding, and activities.
Determination of Benefit
- Use internationally accepted health technology assessment methodologies to ensure cost-benefit of health research.
Sustainability of Research Resources
- Allocations mandated for PNHRS implementing bodies, e.g. 20% of DOST Grants-in-Aid budget for health research.
- Private and public members of the PNHRS Network must allocate resources.
- Other funding sources may be tapped including government revenues and international contributions.
Composition of PNHRS
- Composed of Governing Council (GC), Steering Committee, Technical Working Committees (TWC), and Secretariat.
- The whole health research community is an indispensable partner.
PNHRS Governing Council
- Chair: DOST Secretary; Co-Chair: DOH Secretary; includes CHED Chair, UP Manila Chancellor, National Nutrition Council Director, PCHRD Executive Director, and five private sector reps.
- Private reps appointed by the President, terms governed by EO 128.
- Governing Council meets according to PCHRD's procedures.
- Powers include policymaking, plan review, agenda approval, research program evaluation, and committee creation.
Secretariat
- PCHRD Secretariat headed by an Executive Director serves PNHRS Secretariat.
- Provides technical and administrative support to governance bodies.
- Organizational structure approved by Department of Budget and Management.
Steering Committee
- Created by Governing Council, chaired by PCHRD Executive Director, includes key government representatives.
- Functions include policy recommendations, oversight, coordination and monitoring, and reporting to GC.
Technical Working Committees (TWCs)
- Established based on research themes aligned with WHO health system building blocks.
- Develop and monitor strategic plans; include private sector and civil society representation.
- Chairs serve renewable two-year terms.
- Inter-TWC Chairs promote coordination and recommend improvements.
PNHRS Framework and Stakeholder Engagement
- Operation based on cooperation among consortia, organizations, individuals.
- Engagement through advisory bodies and working groups.
Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB)
- National policymaking body ensuring ethical compliance in health research involving human participants.
- Responsibilities include guideline formulation, ethics committee accreditation, monitoring, training, advisory roles, promoting ethical discourse, and networking with local and international partners.
- PHREB monitors ethics review committees through Regional Ethics Monitoring Boards.
Regional Health Research Systems
- Mirror PNHRS framework regionally.
- Address agenda setting, research conduct, dissemination, monitoring, and management.
- Encourages inter-regional collaboration, joint projects, and resource sharing.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Governing Council and Secretariat conduct regular monitoring and evaluation.
- Develop M&E plans with appropriate indicators.
- All health research to be registered in the Philippine Health Research Registry and published in HERDIN.
- Annual reports submitted to Governing Council and presented during PNHRS Week.
Amendments, Review, and Effectivity
- Amendments require written approval from all implementing agencies.
- IRR reviewed every three years.
- Separability clause preserves validity of unaffected provisions.
- Repeals conflicting rules.
- Rules take effect 15 days after publication and filing at UP Law Center.