The Department of Health (DOH) today launched the online Philippine National Formulary (PNF) and National Antibiotic Guidelines (NAG) to ensure accessibility of vital health information. The online PNF provides information on the rational use of essential drugs for priority diseases in the country, while the online version of the NAG supplements the PNF to guide health care providers on rational antibiotic use as part of the national effort to fight the growing public health threat of antimicrobial resistance.  

The Philippine National Formulary serves as the national reference which guides the national and local governments in drug procurement, prescription, and use, as well as Philhealth in reimbursement of claims from public and private healthcare facilities.

“The drugs listed in the PNF are those considered essential or vital in addressing the major disease burden in the country. So the PNF helps government make sound decisions on health care prioritization,” said Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo.

Undersecretary Domingo disclosed that the 8th edition of the PNF Manual is set to be printed and distributed by the last quarter of 2019 for the use of healthcare facilities. The Manual will contain information on 619 drugs and medicines and will include comprehensive pharmacology information to aid health professionals in making clinical decisions.
To supplement the essential medicines list, the National Antibiotic Guidelines outlines the recommended approach to the treatment of common infectious diseases and aims to facilitate consistency of care and quality use of antimicrobials in all healthcare facilities.

“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now a significant public health threat which causes major health and economic consequences,” Domingo explained. “The irrational use/misuse of antimicrobials was identified as a major driver of AMR which has been associated with various management and healthcare provider concerns,” he added.

The online resource for PNF and NAG may be accessed at https://pharmadiv.doh.gov.ph/uncategorised/189-philippine-national-formulary-8th-edition, and https://pharmadiv.doh.gov.ph/antimicrobial-resistance/nag-guidelines.