NAGPALABAS ang Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) ng guidelines o mga alituntunin para sa pagtatatag at rehistrasyon ng pharmaceutical economic zones (pharmazones) para gawing simple ang regulatory processes, bawasan ang presyo ng gamot, at akitin ang global pharmaceutical investors sa bansa.

Ang guidelines ay inaprubahan ng PEZA Board, si Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque ang tumayong chairman sa isinagawang pagpupulong nitong Pebrero.

Binalangkas ng mga alituntunin ang mga available na insentibo sa ‘pharmazone developers, operators at registered business enterprises (RBEs), layon nito na hikayatin ang investment sa sektor.

Ang Pharmazones ay magsisilbi bilang ‘hubs for firms engaged in various aspects of medical and drug manufacturing-related activities, most specially in research and development, clinical testing and trials.’

“These zones are expected to attract substantial pharma, medical, and healthcare-related investments, advance technology, and increase local production and research, creating numerous jobs and enhancing the country’s export potential, and positioning the Philippines as a competitive player in the global pharmaceutical market,” ang sinabi ni PEZA Director General Tereso Panga.

Sa ilalim ng bagong inaprubahang guidelines, ang pharmazones matatagpuan sa National Capital Region at iba pang metropolitan areas ay dapat na sumaklaw sa 10,000 square meters, habang iyong mga non-metropolitan regions ay dapat na mayroong minimum land area na 50,000 square meters.

Ang mga developers at operators ng nasabing ecozones ay magiging karapat-dapat sa fiscal incentives na nakasaad sa ilalim ng Title XII of the amended Tax Code.

Idagdag pa rito, kabilang sa enterprises sa pagsuporta sa export activities, ay ang ‘ecozone developers, utilities at facility operators’ paglalaan ng 70% ng kanilang ‘leasable o saleable areas’ sa mga exporters, ay ika- classify bilang “Activities in Support to Exporters.”

Ie-enjoy naman ng mga entity na ito ang kahalintulad na insentibo gaya ng Export Enterprises, nakahanay sa PEZA Memorandum Circular No. 2023-033.

“As investors come in using the Philippines as a manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia for dependable medicines and bring in their cutting-edge technologies, I am sure that higher quality of medicines and medical supplies will be developed for the whole region and ultimately increase the availability and lower the price of medicines for the Filipino people,” ang pahayag ni Panga. (Daris Jose)