GEC103 A1-3

Reporting Outline

GROUP TOPIC: The Impact of Technological Innovations on the development of

Philippine Traditional Medicines (PITAHC)
Technological innovations have been long affecting the development of traditional
medicine in the Philippines. With these innovations, these traditional medicines and practices
were backed up by science and has been proven safe and effective in curing specific ailments.
This resulted to the acknowledgement and acceptance of the Filipino community to the possible
healing properties and capabilities of traditional methods and medicines.
Group 4
Paway
Bolambot
Jalem
Nicolas
Castro
Calasang

Topic 1: Introduction on the Traditional medicine in the Philippines and its cultural roots
Traditional medicine in the Philippines is deeply anchored to the beliefs of the Filipino
people which is in most cases related to their beliefs on superstitions. Practices and methods in
curing ailments involve prayers or rituals, herbology, hydrotherapy, massage therapy and
divination.
Topic 2: World Health Organization’s Regional Strategy for Traditional Medicine in the
Western Pacific
WHO strategized a plan for the development of a national policy for traditional medicine
in this particular region. The WHO aims to promote public awareness and access to traditional
medicine, strengthen research evidence-based practice of traditional medicine, and foster respect
for the cultural integrity of traditional medicine.
Topic 3: Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997
This gave rise to the creation of Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative
Healthcare. This government organization promotes the use of traditional and alternative
healthcare modalities through scientific research and product development.
Subtopic 1: PITAHC’s initiative on research and development on traditional
medicine in the Philippines.
As a research institute, PITAHC is responsible for the documentation, promotion,
and advocacy for the use of traditional and alternative healthcare products, modalities,
and technologies. Several researches were already conducted by the institute which didn’t
 only focus on the development of these indigenous herbal medicines but also for the
advocacy on preserving the culture behind these medicines.
Subtopic 2: Current Status of PITAHC’s initiatives and its effect to the medical and
health industry
Currently, PITAHC has been addressing issues concerning the lack of regulatory
and enforcement powers to regulate the practice of Traditional and Complementary
Medicine in the country, and sustainability of T and CM implementation in DOH
hospitals. In line with these issues, PITAHC has been going through a lot of initiatives to
strengthen the regulation of T and CM products and modalities in partnership with
different regulatory agencies.
Topic 4: Acceptance of the Filipino Community to the Development of Traditional and
Contemporary Medicine in the Philippines
The innovations on traditional medicine in the Philippines has been long accepted by the
Filipino community. Best example would be the encapsulation and production of traditional
herbal plant such as the “Lagundi”, which has been widely distributed and used by numerous
Filipino families to cure cough. This depicts that the Filipino community acknowledged the
innovations on traditional medicine; from traditional methods for the preparation of the plant to
modernized production and distribution all throughout the country.

References:
Beltran E.A. (2017). Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care Annual
Report 2017. Retrieved from http://pitahc.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ANNUAL-REPORT-
2017.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2hrYMV2o7tQxe5l0lwAvBi2gu_8_7RYyDggtrHyJjZ-cHCGuuutSUYxg8
Department of Health. (2019). Integrating Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Universal
Health Care. Retrieved from https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/08%20Integrating
%20Traditional%20and%20Complementary%20Medicine%20in%20Universal%20Health%20Care.pdf?
fbclid=IwAR0LVniyjeIgoWRcazN9f6gj2VWg9J1rl9lAkwUMtvGsVwQ2-Rsq-awIjL8
Philippine Traditional and Alternative Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://kbl.org.ph/philippine-traditional-and-alternative-medicine/
Reshaping, rebuilding Pinoy's health-care system. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://pitahc.gov.ph/pitahc-reshaping-rebuilding-pinoys-health-care-system/?
fbclid=IwAR3TREXnq_5gCk5iXpXuFZeDvoWTw_OZEXZIl83Twjn2diPUcArdsSf0f5s
World Health Organization. (2002). Regional Strategy for Traditional Medicine in the Western
Pacific. Retrieved from https://iris.wpro.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665.1/5396/9290610115_eng.pdf.
World Intellectual Property Organization. (2013). From Herbal Folklore to Modern Medicine.
Retrieved from https://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=3661