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Legal Updates

Importing Medicines, PPEs, etc. Now Easier Than You Think

MOSVELDTT2 min read

The importation of medicines, personal protective equipment, laboratory equipment, medical equipment and devices intended to address the COVID-19 public health emergency may now be conducted swiftly. With the promulgation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act[1] donations, acceptance, and distribution of these equipment shall not be unnecessarily delayed and shall be exempt from import, […]

The importation of medicines, personal protective equipment, laboratory equipment, medical equipment and devices intended to address the COVID-19 public health emergency may now be conducted swiftly. With the promulgation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act[1] donations, acceptance, and distribution of these equipment shall not be unnecessarily delayed and shall be exempt from import, duties, taxes and other fees.[2]

Accordingly, the requirements to facilitate the release of imported medical supplies and equipment are:

  1. a License to Operate (“LTO”); and

  2. a Certificate of Product Registration (“CPR”) or proof of application for product notification with the FDA.[3]

These requirements shall be presented to the Bureau of Customs (“BOC”) to clear the commodities for entry into the country.[4]

The LTO application may be processed online and granted high priority thru the FDA ePortal System or https://eportal.fda.gov.ph/.[5]

[1] Republic Act No. 11469, An Act Declaring the Existence of a National Emergency Arising from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation and a National Policy in Connection Therewith, and Authorizing the President of the Republic of the Philippines for a Limited Period and Subject to Restrictions, to Exercise Powers Necessary and Proper to Carry Out the Declared National Policy and for other Purposes

[2] Section 4(o), Republic Act No. 11469, 23 March 2020; Customs Administrative Order (“CAO”) No. 7-2020

[3] Section 6.1, Customs Administrative Order (“CAO”) No. 7-2020 and Section 4, Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Creation of Bayanihan One Stop Shop for Securing License to Operate (LTO) to import COVID-19 Critical Commodities for Commercial Distribution

[4] Section 4, Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Creation of Bayanihan One Stop Shop for Securing License to Operate (LTO) to import COVID-19 Critical Commodities for Commercial Distribution

[5] FDA Circular No. 2020-006, Guidance for Applications and Transactions at the Food and Drug Administration in Light of the Community Quarantine Declaration, 17 March 2020