The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines, formerly known as the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD, 1982–2009), operates as a vital health regulatory agency under the Department of Health.
Established in 1963 by Republic Act No. 3720, the FDA underwent legislative amendments in 1987 through Executive Order 175, known as the “Food, Drugs and Devices, and Cosmetics Act.” Subsequently, a significant reorganization occurred in 2009, following the enactment of Republic Act No. 9711, titled “The Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.
Dedicated to a critical public health mandate, the FDA plays a pivotal role in overseeing, licensing, and regulating a wide range of products.
These encompass cosmetics, drugs, foods, household hazardous items, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, pesticides, tobacco and related products, as well as vaccines.
The agency’s primary objective is to uphold the safety, efficacy, and quality standards of these products within the Republic of the Philippines.
In this article, we will dive into the rich history of the FDA, exploring its evolution over the years. Additionally, we will shine a spotlight on the diverse job opportunities available within the FDA, unveiling the various roles that contribute to its vital functions.
Keep reading to uncover more about the agency’s past, present, and the exciting career possibilities that lie ahead.
Table of Contents
Job Opportunities:
Discover a variety of exciting job opportunities within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and explore roles that contribute to the safety and well-being of the Filipino population. Additionally, consider diverse positions across other government agencies.
Join the dedicated team at FDA, committed to ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of health products, including cosmetics, drugs, foods, medical devices, and more. Each job within the FDA offers a chance to make a meaningful impact on public health.
Explore the available roles below and take the first step toward a fulfilling and rewarding career with the FDA and other government agencies. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting, there’s a role for you to contribute to the essential mission of public service.
Explore the dynamic world of public service, where your skills and passion converge to make a real difference in public health.
Click on the job titles to learn more and start your journey toward a fulfilling career with the FDA and other government agencies.
History of FDA:
The history of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Philippines is a tale of continuous evolution and enhancement in ensuring the safety, purity, and quality of foods, drugs, and cosmetics available to the public.
It all began in 1961–62 when Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque Sr. initiated a significant step by forming a subcommittee on Food and Drugs.
This subcommittee, chaired by Undersecretary Dr. Rodolfo Caños, was tasked with proposing legislation to Congress, ultimately leading to the enactment of Republic Act No. 3720, known as the “Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act,” on June 22, 1963.
To operationalize the provisions of RA 3720, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was established within the DOH San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
This marked a milestone in the efforts to ensure public health and safety. Ms. Luzonica M. Pesigan assumed the role of the first FDA Administrator on May 25, 1966, solidifying the FDA’s commitment to its mission.
The Integrated Reorganization Plan of 1973 brought about a crucial development as the Narcotic Drugs Division from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Finance was transferred to the FDA.
This marked a significant expansion of the FDA’s scope and responsibilities. Subsequent changes in leadership and organizational structure followed, with Ms. Conception M. Fernandez and Ms. Rita V. Caoile leading the Narcotic Drugs Division in the mid-1970s.
However, on December 2, 1982, under Executive Order No. 851, the FDA was abolished, and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) emerged. Mrs. Catalina C. Sanchez became the first Director of the BFAD on February 20, 1984, ushering in a new era for the regulatory body.
In 1987, the BFAD underwent a geographical shift, moving to its new location in Alabang, Muntinlupa. This relocation was accompanied by substantial upgrades, including state-of-the-art analytical instruments and a modern experimental animal laboratory, thanks to a $12M grant from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The new BFAD facility in Alabang officially became operational on April 30, 1987.
The legislative landscape also witnessed changes in 1987, as RA 3720 was amended by Executive Order 175, renaming it the “Foods, Drugs, and Devices and Cosmetics Act.”
It was during the inauguration of the Alabang facility that President Corazon C. Aquino declared the Philippine National Drug Policy (PNDP), emphasizing pillars like Quality Assurance, Rational Use of Drugs, Self-Reliance, and Tailored Procurement.
Further organizational refinements occurred with Executive Order No. 119 s. 1987, which reorganized the BFAD under the Department of Health based on Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 30 s. 1987.
This period witnessed the alignment of BFAD’s functions with the Philippine National Drug Policy and the National Health Policy.
In 1999, another significant milestone was achieved with Executive Order No. 102, which redirected the functions and operations of the Department of Health.
This move led to the expansion of BFAD with the addition of the Policy, Planning, and Advocacy Division. The integration of the National Drug Policy workforce with BFAD strengthened its capabilities to address emerging challenges.
The journey continued with the signing of Republic Act No. 9711, known as the “Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Act of 2009,” on August 18, 2009.
This legislation aimed to strengthen and rationalize the regulatory capacity of the Bureau of Food and Drugs, leading to the establishment of adequate testing laboratories and field offices, equipment upgrades, augmented human resources, and a renaming of the regulatory body as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Mission:
“To guarantee the safety, quality, purity, efficacy of health products in order to protect and promote the right to health of the general public.”
Vision:
“To be an internationally recognized center of excellence in health product regulation by 2026.”
Mandate:
As a regulatory agency under the Department of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, established under Republic Act No. 3720, series of 1963, as amended by Executive Order 175, series of 1987, otherwise known as the “Food, Drugs and Devices, and Cosmetics Act,” and subsequently Republic Act No. 9711, otherwise known as “The Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009,” is mandated to ensure the safety, efficacy, or quality of health products which include food, drugs, cosmetics, devices, biologicals, vaccines, in-vitro diagnostic reagents, radiation-emitting devices or equipment, and household/urban hazardous substances, including pesticides and toys, or consumer products that may have an effect on health which require regulations as determined by the FDA.
Among others, the FDA is also mandated to enforce the provisions of the following laws:
1. RA 9502 – The Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicine Act of 2008
2. RA 6675 – The Generics Act Of 1988
3. RA 10918 – The Pharmacy Law
4. RA 9211 – The Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003
5. RA 7394 – The Consumer Act of the Philippines
6. RA 7581/10623 – The Price Act
7. RA 10611 – The Food Safety Act of 2013
8. RA 8172 – The ASIN Law
9. RA 8203 – The Special Law on Counterfeit Drug
10. RA 8976 – The Food Fortification Law
11. RA 9165 – The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
12. RA 9257 – The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003
13. PD No. 881 – The Household Hazardous Act
14. EO No. 51 – The Milk Code of the Philippines
15. RA 10354 – The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Bill of 2012
16. PD 856 – The Code of Sanitation of the Philippines
Each of these laws addresses specific aspects of public health, safety, and regulation, and the FDA plays a crucial role in upholding and enforcing the stipulations outlined in these legal frameworks.
Through this comprehensive legislative framework, the FDA strives to safeguard the well-being of the Filipino populace by ensuring the quality and safety of health products and regulating practices across various industries.
Functions:
To effectively safeguard and enhance the right to health for the Filipino people, and to establish a responsive health products regulatory system, the FDA is entrusted with a comprehensive set of functions outlined by existing laws. The orderly arrangement of these functions is as follows:
- Establishment of Standards:
- Formulate safety, efficacy, and quality standards for foods, drugs, devices, cosmetics, and other health products.
- Health Manpower Development and Research:
- Undertake pertinent health manpower development and research activities in line with the country’s health needs.
- Sample Collection Authority:
- Assume primary jurisdiction in the collection of samples of health products for regulatory purposes.
- Analysis and Inspection:
- Conduct analysis and inspections of health products to ensure compliance with established standards.
- Data Generation for Standards:
- Generate analytical data to serve as a basis for developing health product standards.
- Recommend standards of identity, purity, safety, efficacy, quality, and fill of container.
- Certificates of Compliance:
- Issue certificates of compliance with technical requirements.
- Serve as the basis for authorizations and spot-check for regulatory compliance of health product-related establishments and facilities.
- Pre-Authorization Testing:
- Conduct appropriate tests on health products before issuing authorizations to ensure safety, efficacy, purity, and quality.
- Incident Reporting Requirement:
- Mandate reporting of incidents related to health products that indicate harm or serious consequences to consumers or users.
- Cease and Desist Orders:
- Issue cease and desist orders, either on its own initiative or in response to verified complaints, for health products, with specific provisions for registered products.
- Ban, Recall, and/or Withdrawal Authority:
- Order the ban, recall, and/or withdrawal of health products found to have caused harm or deemed imminently injurious, unsafe, dangerous, or grossly deceptive.
- Require the implementation of risk management plans as a prerequisite for authorization.
- Post Market Surveillance Enhancement:
- Strengthen the post-market surveillance system to monitor health products and adverse events.
- Standards and Authorizations Development:
- Develop and issue standards and appropriate authorizations covering establishments, facilities, and health products.
- Research Oversight:
- Conduct, supervise, monitor, and audit research studies on health and safety issues of health products conducted by approved entities.
- Regulations for Marketing Instruments:
- Prescribe standards, guidelines, and regulations for information, advertisements, and other marketing instruments, as well as promotion, sponsorship, and other marketing activities related to health products.
- Maintenance of Bonded Warehouses:
- Establish and maintain bonded warehouses, as necessary, especially in strategic areas and major ports of entry for confiscated goods.
- General Powers and Functions:
- Exercise any other powers and perform additional functions necessary to fulfill its duties and responsibilities.
This comprehensive set of functions equips the FDA to diligently execute its role in upholding the health and safety standards of health products and promoting the well-being of the Filipino populace.
Health Protection and Regulatory Objectives:
In order to protect and advance the right to health for the Filipino people, the FDA is entrusted with two primary objectives:
- Ensure Safety, Efficacy, Quality, and Purity:
- Safeguard the public by ensuring the safety, efficacy, quality, and purity of essential health products, including foods, drugs, devices, and cosmetics.
This involves setting and enforcing stringent standards to guarantee that these products meet the highest levels of safety and effectiveness.
- Establish and Maintain an Effective Regulatory System:
- Establish and sustain a robust health products regulatory system that is adaptive to the ever-evolving health needs and challenges of the country.
This involves creating and maintaining a regulatory framework that is responsive, efficient, and capable of addressing emerging health concerns and ensuring the continuous improvement of health products in the market.
By diligently pursuing these dual objectives, the FDA plays a vital role in upholding public health standards, fostering confidence in health products, and contributing to the overall well-being of the Filipino population.
Organizational Structure:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Philippines operates with precision and efficiency, guided by a meticulously designed organizational structure.
At the forefront is the Director General, appointed by the President, currently held by Usec. Dr. Samuel Zacate, MD, a dedicated leader committed to advancing public health.
Working collaboratively with two Deputies overseeing Internal Management and Field Regulatory Operations, the FDA’s leadership ensures a comprehensive approach to health product regulation.
Situated in Alabang, Muntinlupa, the FDA’s central office houses four specialized centers, while its influence extends nationwide through five clusters of field regulatory operations and four strategically located laboratories.
- Department of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Office of the Director General
- Food and Drug Administration
- Centers:
- Center for Cosmetic and Household/Urban Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research (CCHUHSRR)
- Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health, and Research (CDRRHR)
- Center for Drug Regulation and Research (CDRR)
- Center for Food Regulation and Research (CFRR)
- Center of Product Regulation and Research (CPRR)
- Common Services Laboratory
- Manila Testing and Quality Assurance Laboratory
- Cebu Testing and Quality Assurance Laboratory
- Davao Testing and Quality Assurance Laboratory
- Physics Laboratory Support Division
- Policy and Planning Service (PPS)
- Policy Dissemination and Training Division
- Policy Formulation and Program Implementation Division
- Monitoring and Evaluation Division
- Food and Drug Action Center (FDAC)
- Legal Services Support Center (LSSC)
- Investigation Division
- Litigation and Enforcement Division
- Documentation, Opinion, and Contract Review Division
- Internal Affairs Division
- Information and Communication Technology Management Division
- Office of the Deputy Director General for Internal Management
- Administrative and Finance Service
- Budget and Management Division
- Accounting Division
- General Services Division
- Human Resource Development Division
- Office of the Deputy Director General for Field Regulatory Operations Office
- Office of North Luzon Cluster
- Office of South Luzon Cluster
- Office of Visayas Cluster
- Office of West Mindanao Cluster
- Office of East Mindanao Cluster
- Regulatory Enforcement Unit (REU)
Let’s view the Organizational chart illustrating the hierarchical structure of the FDA with key departments, centers, and divisions.
Contact Details:
For inquiries and assistance, feel free to reach out to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the following contact details:
| Contact Details – Main Office | |
| Civic Drive Filinvest Corporate City | |
| Alabang, Muntinlupa City | |
| Tel. no: +632 8 857-1900 | info@fda.gov.ph |
| FDAC Hotlines | |
| Landline: | |
| (02) 8857-1900 local 1000 | fdac@fda.gov.ph |
| (02) 8842-5635 | |
| Email: fdac@fda.gov.ph | |
| “Chat with Us on Facebook | |
| Chat with us” | |
| Email: ask@fda.gov.ph | |
| File a Report – Report Unregistered Products and Establishments | |
| Email: ereport@fda.gov.ph | |
| Center for Drug Regulation and Research (CDRR) | |
| File a Report | (02) 8809-5596 |
| Center for Cosmetics and Household Urban and Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research (CCHUHSRR) | |
| (02) 8857-1900 loc. 8113 or 8107 | |
| Center for Food Regulation and Research (CFRR) | |
| (02) 8857-1900 loc. 8105 or 8112 | |
| Center for Device Regulation Radiation Health and Research (CDRRHR) | |
| (02) 8857-1900 loc. 8301 | |
| Regional Field Offices | |
| I. North Luzon Cluster | |
| 3rd Floor Greene Manor Hotel, Lazatin Boulevard, City of San Fernando Pampanga | (045)649-4341 |
| a. Regional Field Office I | GNET Bldg., Quezon Avenue, Brgy. III, San Fernando City, La Union |
| b. Regional Field Office II | 1/f De Yro bldg. Mabini St. Tuguegarao City, Cagayan |
| c. Regional Field Office III | 3/f Primus Medicus Bldg., Mc Arthur Highway, Brgy. San Isidro, City of San Fernando, Pampanga |
| d. Regional Field Office CAR | 49 SAJJ Bldg., Rimando Road, Aurora Hill, Baguio City |
| II. South Luzon Cluster | |
| FDA Building, Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City | (02)8 857-1900 local 8106 |
| a. Regional Field Office IV-A | D. & A. Commercial Building, Calamba, Laguna |
| b. Regional Field Office IV-B | 3/F Halcon Heights Bldg., Roxas Drive cor Dama de Noche, Brgy. Lumangbayan, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro |
| c. Regional Field Office NCR | FDA Building, Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City |
| d. Regional Field Office V | DOH-RO V Compound, Legazpi City |
| III. Visayas Cluster | |
| FDA-RFO VII, North Road, Jagobiao, Mandaue City, Cebu | (032) 564-2565 |
| a. Regional Field Office VI | FDA-RFO VI, 3rd Floor Gaisano City Capital, Luna St,. Lapaz, Iloilo City |
| b. Regional Field Office VII | One Central Hotel and Suites Corp. Leon Kilan St., cor Sanciangko St., Pahina Central, Cebu City |
| c. Regional Field Office VIII | Perpetual Help Credit Cooperative Inc. Bldg., cor. Real Sagkahan, Calanipawan Road, Tacloban City |
| IV. Mindanao East Cluster | |
| #31 2/F, Lotrim Construction Inc. Bldg., Quimpo Blvd., Ecoland, Davao City | (082) 322-6201 |
| a. Regional Field Office X | 2nd Floor, Almie Rose Chan Yu Bldg., Zone 7, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City |
| b. Regional Field Office XI | 3rd Floor Biosite Medical Instrument Building, 553 Mangga St., Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City |
| c. Regional Field Office XIII | Nimfa Tiu Bldg., Acosta Subdivision, Libertad, Butuan City |
| V. Mindanao West Cluster | |
| a. Regional Field Office IX | 3rd Floor Prime Arcade Building, Tiguma Highway, Pagdian City, Zamboanga del Sur |
| b. Regional Field Office XII | Prime Regional Office, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines stands as a pivotal guardian of public health, ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of a diverse range of health products.
From its humble beginnings in 1963 to its evolution into a dynamic regulatory force, the FDA has played a vital role in safeguarding the well-being of the Filipino population.
As we’ve explored the rich history, diverse responsibilities, and the array of roles within the FDA, it’s evident that this agency is at the forefront of promoting a healthier and safer nation.
The dedication to upholding stringent standards and regulations reflects a commitment to the highest ideals of public service.
Now, for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in the field of public health,
Explore the exciting career opportunities within the FDA and other government agencies.
Whether you’re an experienced professional or an enthusiastic newcomer, there’s a role waiting for you to contribute to the essential mission of enhancing public health in the Philippines.
Click on the job titles above, discover the dynamic world of public service, and take the first step toward a rewarding career with the FDA.
Your skills and passion can play a vital role in shaping the future of public health in the Republic of the Philippines.
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All information contained here is solely for informational purposes and rightfully belongs to its rightful owner.
Attached in the last section of the content are references for further verification, if needed. Read more
Reference:
1. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). About FDA. Retrieved from [https://www.fda.gov.ph/about-fda/]
2. Food and Drug Administration (Philippines) – Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Drug_Administration_(Philippines)]