Kristel Keith N.

Nieva
180: Introduction to Drug Discovery
BS Industrial Pharmacy, 2011-63186

Ph Ch

The Future of Drug Discovery in the Philippines: People at the Center of Health Research and
Innovation
Dubbed as Galapagos times ten, the Philippines is considered as one of the seventeen
megadiverse countries as well as a global hot spot. It houses around 52,000 wildlife species
throughout the archipelago; 5,600 of which are plant species considered to be endemic in the country.
Because of its promising floral diversity, the Philippines is favorable for the discovery of novel
compounds from indigenous terrestrial and marine sources. However, Filipino researchers and
scientists experience a lot of drawbacks in the process of discovering and developing drugs. To address
these pressing issues, one of the Health Research and Development priorities under the National
Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) thrusts of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
for 2011 to 2016, is to develop health products and technologies, focusing mainly in the area of drug
discovery and development.
The NUHRA emphasizes the importance of the use of Philippine natural sources in our pursuit
of developing new drug candidates. The practice of using medicinal plants to remedy and alleviate
diseases has been known since the dawn of time. Over the past thirty years, natural products continue
to be a prime source of New Chemical Entities (NCEs) approved by the US FDA. And even some of the
important drugs that are currently on-market are derived from a natural source. Among the initiatives
made in order to boost the medicinal plant research in our country was the establishment of the
National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) in 1977. Its primary aim is to
develop safe and effective medicinal preparations from indigenous plants to cushion the effect of
escalating prices of drugs and to increase the availability of drugs especially in the rural areas.
NIRPROMP, in collaboration with the DOH, paved the way for the identification of the Sampung
Halamang Gamot, five of which are already listed in the Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF).
Medicinal plant technologies have been generated by NIRPROMP such as V. negundo tablets and
pediatric syrup for treatment of cough and asthma, B. balsamifera tablets indicated for urolithiasis and
diuresis, and C. alata as remedy for fungal infections. Licensing Agreements for the commercial
production of these technologies have been made with pharmaceutical companies to ensure their
continuous supply in the market.
Much has been done and there still remains a lot of room for improvement. With thousands of
potential plant drugs waiting to be discovered, the need for a comprehensive drug discovery and
development program was identified. A program needs to be implemented to harness the potential of
our biodiversity in responding to the growing health needs of the Filipinos. With proper strategies, our
limited resources can be maximized while not compromising the quality of medicinal products obtained
from natural sources. With this in mind, Tuklas Lunas Development Centers are continuously being
established in rural areas where biodiversity is more evident. These centers function as screening and
extraction sites in various universities in the regions to study the rich flora and fauna which are
endemic to the area. Upon preliminary analysis of the plant extracts, those found to have significant
activity are sent to Bioactivity facilities wherein they are passed through a battery of advanced
disease-specific assays. Those having desirable results then undergo pre-formulation or formulation
studies. Aside from having a drug discovery and development program, DOST also acknowledges the
role of existing institutions who are actively conducting researches on medicinal plants. Research and
equipment grants are given to strengthen research capabilities. Laboratory animal resource centers
are also being established to provide animals with homogenous and good genetic lineage for testing of
potential drugs. A Philippine Drug Research and Development Database has been developed and is
already running to provide access to updated information on possible drug candidates. A guidebook on
medicinal plant research is also planned to be released which would discuss the proper methodologies
in conducting natural products research towards drug discovery and development. And now on its third
year, the DNA Barcoding for Authentication of Philippine Medicinal Plants, is a four-year project that
aims to create an online database and a medicinal guidebook for flora found in the Philippines with the
help of DNA barcoding. The project is set to showcase its online database this October 2015 while an
updated medicinal guidebook will be released next year.
References:
Biodiversity Management Division, 2015. New Conservation Areas in the Philippine Project: State of the Philippine Biodiversity. Accessed from:
www.bmb.gov.ph <Accessed 08 August 2015>.
Lubo, M.L., and Taguiam, R.A., 2015. UST leads way in barcoding of PH medicinal plants. Accessed: varsitarian.net <Accessed 08 August 2015>.
Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, 2015. Philippine Drug Discovery and Development Program. Accessed from:
www.pitahc.gov.ph <Accessed 08 August 2015>.
Philippine National Health Research System, 2011. National Unified Health Research Agenda for 2011-2016. Accessed from: www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph <
Accessed 08 August 2015>.

Kristel Keith N. Nieva

180: Introduction to Drug Discovery
BS Industrial Pharmacy, 2011-63186

Ph Ch

The numerous efforts and initiative of the DOST, together with Philippine Council for Health
Research and Development (PCHRD), have advanced the drug discovery and development to heights
we have never imagined. And as the future of R&D in the Philippines shines brighter than ever before,
the upcoming Forum 2015: Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health this 24 th of August
aims to remind us the fundamental reasons as to why we conduct researches in the first place. With a
theme of People at the Center of Health Research and Innovation, we, future researchers and
scientists, are challenged to put the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people at the heart of every
scientific undertaking. We are reminded to unceasingly develop health researches, methods, and tools
which would improve the quality of their life. For me, this is the future of drug research and discovery
in our countryone that is more socially-relevant, globally-competitive, and inspiring innovation whilst
valuing traditional systems.

References:
Biodiversity Management Division, 2015. New Conservation Areas in the Philippine Project: State of the Philippine Biodiversity. Accessed from:
www.bmb.gov.ph <Accessed 08 August 2015>.
Lubo, M.L., and Taguiam, R.A., 2015. UST leads way in barcoding of PH medicinal plants. Accessed: varsitarian.net <Accessed 08 August 2015>.
Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, 2015. Philippine Drug Discovery and Development Program. Accessed from:
www.pitahc.gov.ph <Accessed 08 August 2015>.
Philippine National Health Research System, 2011. National Unified Health Research Agenda for 2011-2016. Accessed from: www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph <
Accessed 08 August 2015>.