3.3.7 Laws on healthcare and hospitals
Republic Act No. 8344 does not allow hospitals or any of it staff or physicians to require or advance payment before treating a patient who is in a life threatening or emergency situation. The law requires that death and permanent disability should be prevented and that neither lack of money on the part of the patient nor lack of sufficient facilities of the hospital may prevent the rendering of the necessary emergency treatment. In case of inadequacy of medical facilities, the appropriate emergency treatment and support should be rendered to stabilize the patient before transferring him or her to a more appropriate facility.
Republic Act No. 9349 prohibits the detention of patients on hospitals and medical clinics on the ground of non-payment of hospital expenses. The law further provides that a patient may be released and issued the corresponding medical certificate and other pertinent documents upon the patient’s execution of a promissory note covering the unpaid obligations and further secured by either a mortgage, or a guarantee of a co-maker who shall be jointly and severally liable for the unpaid obligations.
3.3.8 Laws on medical products, laws on standardization of medical products, drugs and cosmetics
Article of The Consumer Act of the Philippines provides that: “[T]he state shall ensure safe and good quality of food, drugs, cosmetics and devices, and regulate their production, sale, distribution and advertisement to protect the health of the consume.” Article 29 of the same provides the definition of adulterated drugs whereas Article 30 provides exemptions. Licensing and registration of drugs are discussed in Article 31.
Adulterated cosmetics are defined in Article 35 whereas the factory inspection requirement is tackled in Article 36.