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| Photo retrieved from Department of Health Philippines Facebook page |
Manila, Philippines—The Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have officially announced a temporary suspension of newly implemented regulatory fees and charges, effective June 06, 2025.
This 60-day suspension specifically targets Administrative Order (AO) No. 2024-0016, which introduced a revised schedule of fees for various FDA services, including facility registration and Certificates of Product Registration (CPRs) for health products. AO 2024-0016 had previously taken effect on January 12, 2025.
This directive for suspension originated from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who emphasized the critical need to promote ease of doing business and ensure seamless access to essential medicines.
Following the President's instruction, Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa formally approved the recommendation for the temporary halt. The recommendation was put forth by FDA Director-General Paolo S. Teston.
The decision stems from concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the impact of the increased fees on businesses, which could potentially affect the cost and accessibility of medicines. FDA Director-General Teston, in a House committee briefing on May 26, 2025, stated that "any increase in regulatory fees must be supported by visible improvements in service delivery and operational efficiency." He further affirmed the FDA's commitment to "collaborate openly with the Congress, industry stakeholders, and the public in shaping sound and effective regulatory policies."
The implementation of AO 2024-0016, which allowed the FDA to adjust its fees, has been put on hold to facilitate a thorough review. During this 60-day period, the DOH and FDA will conduct a comprehensive evaluation aimed at addressing and resolving "any concerns that may arise from the new payment rules for Certificates of Product Registration for food and health products."
The agencies have provided assurance that their ongoing work with concerned parties will focus on ensuring that any future or revised fees are demonstrably necessary and primarily for cost recovery, thereby balancing effective regulation with economic practicalities and public welfare.
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