Section 3Sec./Art. 3

Objectives. The objectives of this Act are as follows:

(a) Improve the access of patients diagnosed to have a rare disease or patients highly suspected of having a rare disease to comprehensive medical care, including drugs and other healthcare products to treat or otherwise, as well as timely health information to help them cope with their condition by:

(1) Establishing a comprehensive and sustainable healthcare system integrated within the public healthcare delivery system for early and sustainable care for patients suffering from rare diseases;

(2) Establishing and maintaining the Rare Disease Registry which shall include data on rare diseases in the Philippines, patients afflicted with rare diseases, and orphan drugs and orphan products. This data shall be utilized in formulating policies, identifying program interventions and designing researches to address the needs of patients with rare disease;

(3) Integrating public educational and information campaigns in the current programs of the Department of Health (DOH) to identify persons afflicted with rare disease and help the public understand the special needs of such persons; and

(4) Facilitating the regular collaborative activities among stakeholders regarding the realization of the objectives of this Act.

(b) Provide regulatory and fiscal incentives to support research and development studies on rare diseases and to facilitate the manufacture and importation of affordable orphan drugs and orphan products.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITION OF TERMS