Regulation of medical devices sought

A Cebuano representative has a filed a bill for the creation of the Bureau of Devices and Radiation Health (BDRH) to regulate medical- and health-related devices in the Philippine market.

House Bill 4797 filed by Cebu 3rd district Rep. Antonio Yapha along with Negros Occidental 2nd district Rep. Emilio Macias seeks to ensure the "quality, safety, accessibility and affordability of product facilities and technology to every Filipino".

Yapha who is the chairman of the Committee on Health, said that the bill is now reportedly out for plenary discussion. He also said that laws governing the regulation of radiation devices are very much needed since most of the devices we have have become outdated and irresponsive to the present demand of technology.

Agnette Peralta of the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology said that once the said bill will be approved the standards for radiation, electrical and electronic medical devices will fall under this bureau.

The bill which is known as the "Devices and Radiation Act of 2006 further seeks to change the name of BHDT to BDRH to emphasized the function of the bureau in order to truly regulate the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, sales and use of these of products. - Flor Z. Perolina/BRP