The Department of Health (DOH) reaffirmed the critical role of Filipino pharmacists as frontline leaders in public health transformation during the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPHA) National Convention 2026, calling for strengthened collaboration, innovation, and commitment to patient-centered care in advancing Universal Health Care (UHC) held in Vigan, ilocos Sur last April 2026.
Delivering the message on behalf of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, the DOH-Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco emphasized that the future of healthcare depends not only on policy—but on the collective strength of health professionals working together in the spirit of bayanihan.
“Kalinga—our deep commitment to patient care—will always be at the heart of what we do. But it is bayanihan that will carry us forward, uniting our efforts to build a stronger, more responsive healthcare system,” she stated.
Pharmacists across the Ilocos Region and the country have emerged as key players in health system transformation. Once seen primarily as dispensers of medicines, they are now recognized as frontliners in primary care, educators in rational drug use, and advocates for patient safety and disease prevention.
Under the UHC framework, pharmacists serve as vital links connecting the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and local government units—ensuring that access to healthcare includes access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines. Programs such as PhilHealth’s outpatient drug benefits are helping reduce financial burden while improving treatment outcomes for Filipino families.
The DOH also raised urgent concern over antimicrobial resistance, a growing global threat. Pharmacists were called upon to lead efforts in antimicrobial stewardship—ensuring antibiotics are used responsibly and only when necessary.
“Every act of responsible dispensing, every patient counseled, and every unnecessary antibiotic avoided is a step toward safeguarding the health of future generations,” Sydiongco stressed.
Anchored on the theme “Honoring Our Heritage Through Embracing the Future of Philippine Healthcare,” the convention also highlighted the enduring Filipino values of care and community. From the healing traditions of the babaylan to modern pharmaceutical care, the profession remains rooted in compassion while evolving to meet today’s health challenges.
“Pharmacists are no longer at the sidelines of healthcare—they are at its core. You are not just providers; you are leaders, collaborators, and champions of public health.”
“In the Bagong Pilipinas, every life matters. And with our pharmacists at the frontlines, we are closer to a future where quality healthcare is within reach for every Filipino,” the statement concluded.