Not so long ago, the COVID-19 pandemic showed us all the challenges in our healthcare system; its vulnerabilities and gaps.
In spite of these limitations, we, in the private sector, through our industry partners—in close collaboration with the government—successfully navigated these vulnerabilities and gaps, effectively breaking down the complexities of the pandemic. The end result: we contained the deleterious impacts of COVID-19.
Working toward a common goal, we fostered partnerships and leveraged the strengths of our mutual connections with our fellow PHAP Members, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Zuellig, Mercury Drug, and Watsons, among others.
Together with government, we, in the private sector, functioned as a collective wealth of technical knowledge and expertise, serving as both adviser and convenor to work toward the common goal of securing vaccines for our fellow Filipinos.
SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION
This report documents some of the highlights of our many collaborations, including how pharmacies like Mercury Drug, Watsons, Generika, and Southstar were at the frontlines—providing masks, alcohol, vitamins, and critical drugs.
Private clinics like Healthway offered their sites as part of the “RESBAKUNA sa Botika” drive.
The T3 Task Force private sector players from across several industries, including McDonald’s and Jollibee, united to boost testing and vaccine efforts.
This spirit of collaboration remains a cornerstone as we navigate through the next steps of our healthcare sector with the commitment not just to build back, but we need to build back better.
Together, we’re not just adapting to the challenges, we’re leveraging them as opportunities for innovation. The work continues. Innovation continues.
IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY
At the Private Sector Advisory Council for Health, we continue to play a role in addressing crucial gaps in our healthcare system.
We’re working closely with the Administration to focus on pertinent issues, specifically around the healthcare workforce. Supporting PhilHealth, and working closely with the DOH (Department of Health), and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to explore ways to improve accessibility of medications across the private sector.
At AC Health, we’re actively collaborating with partners to develop fit for purpose innovative solutions and to ensure more affordable quality healthcare for our patients.
With our upcoming Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, the first of its kind in the country, we’ve again partnered with our friends such as Roche, AstraZeneca, (and) MSD. This represents our dedication to staying at the forefront of medical
advancement and ensuring access to innovative life changing treatments, especially in the area of oncology.
Our continued expansion of our drugstore network with now over 700 Generika stores and our KonsultaMD Health Tech app, boasting a user base of over 3.5 million subscribers, revolutionizes healthcare accessibility and allows us to overcome geographical constraints.
These are some of the things that we are doing with our partners to create new innovations in this space and serve more Filipinos and provide more affordable, accessible, quality healthcare.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Leveraging the partnerships and the trust forged during the pandemic, new opportunities are emerging for collaboration between the government and private entities through public-private partnerships.
We anticipate this trend to pave the way for even more extensive collaborations between the two sectors. Together, we’re not just working to address healthcare challenges; we are working to transform the healthcare landscape for a healthier, more resilient nation.
In closing, allow me to express my gratitude to PHAP and the Organizing Team. The Power of Innovation reflects our collective efforts, a testament to the transformative potential of innovation within the Philippine healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.
The private sector role remains to be proactive, steering the industry toward innovation, collaboration and ultimately towards improving healthcare outcomes.
As we look ahead, we are committed to fostering an environment where innovation thrives, where partnerships flourish, and where every Filipino reaps the benefits of a healthcare landscape shaped by forward thinking private sector initiatives.
We look forward to continuing this journey with our fellow healthcare advocates and stakeholders, propelling the industry into a future defined by innovation and excellence.
