THERE’S now a snowballing move in the House of Representatives to make the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) an independent and autonomous government agency.

The FDA, which is an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH), is mandated to protect the public health.

The present setup weakens the independence and autonomy of the FDA in the performance of its functions, said Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo and Quezon Rep. Keith Micah Tan.

This, it will do by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products and medical services, according to health authorities.

The two legislators have filed separate bills seeking to transfer the FDA from the DOH to the Office of the President (OP) to prevent instances of potential conflicts of interest.

Like other well-meaning Filipinos, we share the view of the two hard-working lawmakers that the proposal is seen to spare the agency from “undue politicking.”

The proposed measures – HB Nos. 721 and 1101 – seek to amend Republic Act 3720, which created the FDA. They have been referred to the committee on government reorganization.

Let’s ensure the availability of healthy food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and household products in the local market.

Thus, we cannot overemphasize the need to support the move to make FDA an independent and autonomous government agency for the benefit of everybody.

Let’s act now – and fast.

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