Comprehensive Lupus Management and Treatment Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -8 P5:31 SENATE S. No. 260 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution underscores the State's

responsibility to protect and promote the health rights of its citizens while fostering health awareness among them. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that impacts millions globally, including Filipinos. Despite its prevalence, lupus is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, leading to delays in treatment and increased rates of morbidity and mortality. While there is no definitive cure for SLE at present, effective management can be achieved through medical interventions and lifestyle modifications. Research' shows that the lack of national data registries, combined with an over-reliance on available institutional records, complicates efforts to gauge the true burden of SLE in the Philippines. Additionally, there is a noticeable absence of local clinical practice guidelines. The management of SLE within the Philippine healthcare system mirrors broader systemic issues, with diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care often proving to be prohibitively expensive for many individuals. enthematos sequen philip Cared hippines toria, Marate Yee. Joul re state matic Diseases review. Journal https://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2025.0032

There is a pressing need for further research into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of SLE within the Philippine context. A comprehensive understanding of the true burden of the disease will pave the way for targeted, population-based interventions. The proposed legislative measure aims to enhance public awareness and disseminate information regarding SLE, alongside fortifying research and development efforts to support the management and treatment of this condition. Increased awareness is anticipated to foster understanding, facilitate early detection, and promote timely intervention, which are crucial in mitigating symptoms. This initiative seeks to establish safe, equitable, and effective strategies to address the burden of lupus in the Philippines. In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. ...- MARK A. VILLAR

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -8 P5:31 First Regular Session RAC SENATE S. No. 260 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Lupus

Management and Treatment Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and

promote the right to health of the people. As such, the State shall promote awareness of the health programs focusing on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) to empower citizens suffering therefrom to become, to the best of their potential, independent, self-reliant, and productive members of society.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act. "Systemic Lupus

9 Erythematosus" (SLE) or "Lupus" shall be construed to mean a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage in different parts of the body, but most often affecting the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system, as diagnosed by a competent medical practitioner.

Sec. 4. National Survey and Research. - The National Institute of Health (NIH)

of the Department of Health (DOH) shall conduct an annual survey to determine the 16 extent and total incidence and prevalence of persons with SLE in the country for the

government to provide the necessary health interventions to address the needs faced by persons with lupus.

Sec. 5. Integrated Approach to Research in Cooperation with Concerned

Research Agencies. - Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the NIH's research agenda and that of pharmaceutical corporations or other government agencies addressing the issue of lupus.

Sec. 6. National Program for Lupus Management and Treatment. - The DOH

shall implement a comprehensive and nationwide program on lupus management and treatment with the following objectives: a) to promote and provide mechanisms for early identification, screening, and diagnosis of persons suffering from lupus; b) to promote public awareness, education, and information on issues concerning lupus; c) to establish sustainable support network for families of persons diagnosed with lupus; d) to provide referral services to patients for appropriate educational and medical expertise and to identify appropriate education or medical facilities suited to the needs of patients; e) to undertake research and collaborate with other institutions for the conduct of research activities pertaining to the disease; f) to promote an advocacy discouraging bias against and stereotyping of afflicted persons; g) to provide an avenue for the sharing of best practices on issues relating to early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons diagnosed with lupus; and h) to network with other organizations, institutions, and professionals working on public programs for persons diagnosed with lupus.

Sec. 7. Programs and Service for Lupus Management and Treatment. - The

programs and services that will be provided by the DOH shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a) orientation and counseling services for families of newly diagnosed persons;

b) establishment of national and regional referral services where the DOH shall maintain an updated list of health care institutions and practitioners concerned with the treatment of lupus; c) publish a newsletter on current developments and research on lupus, as well as other reading materials on the early detection, management, and treatment of lupus, and best practices for the care of diagnosed persons; d) conduct of continuing education and training programs on the proper care of diagnosed persons; and e) establishment of a databank and an information and monitoring system on country-specific statistics pertaining to lupus.

Sec. 8. Lupus Early Detection and Screening Fees. - The Philippine Health

Insurance Corporation shall include the cost of early detection and screening programs 13 for lupus as one of the available benefits to its members. The early detection and screening test fees shall be applied to, among others, testing cost, education, follow- 15 up, and readable overhead expenses.

Sec. 9. Donations and Grants. - The DOH, NIH, and other departments of

17 the DOH that may thereafter be tasked with the implementation of this Act shall have the power to receive donations and grants from local and international donor institutions, foundations, and foreign donor agencies, provided that pertinent laws and rules on the receipt, accounting, and disbursement thereof shall be complied 21 with.

Sec. 10. National Lupus Awareness Week. - In order to grow national interest

23 and participation in the issues and concerns of lupus patients, the first week of May shall annually be celebrated as "Lupus Awareness Week." This week-long activity will be spearheaded by the DOH, in coordination with other concerned agencies, institutions, and stakeholders.

Sec. 11. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel and Service

Providers on Lupus Management and Treatment. - All DOH staff and health providers providing health services to persons diagnosed with lupus shall undergo a mandatory continuing education and training program to ensure the delivery of up-to-date and relevant services.

Sec. 12. Protection Against Forcible Administration of Medical Treatment or

Enrollment in Programs. - All persons administering treatment, counseling, or medication as well as all persons involved in the implementation of the DOH programs as mandated in this Act shall respect the right of each patient to determine for himself or herself the medical treatment to be administered as well as the programs wherein he or she will participate, if any.

Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions

of this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the DOH.

Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from

the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 15. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,