PCPM marks 56th Annual Convention: Strengthening bonds, enhancing partnerships

By Ronald Allan M. Ponteres, MD, MBAH

Mandaluyong City, Philippines, November 17, 2025 — The Philippine College of Pharmaceutical Medicine (PCPM) successfully organized its 56th Annual Convention at the Unilab Bayanihan Center, reaffirming its commitment to advancing pharmaceutical medicine in the country. With the theme “Strengthening Bonds, Enhancing Partnerships,” the event gathered pharmaceutical medicine professionals, regulatory authorities, and academic partners from leading companies and institutions nationwide.

A global perspective on pharmaceutical medicine

The convention opened with an inspiring keynote address by Dr Philip Cruz, Moderna’s Country Medical Director for the UK, who shared his personal journey transitioning from clinical practice to pharmaceutical medicine. Dr Cruz (photo courtesy of PCPM) emphasized the growing global opportunities for Filipino physicians, highlighting the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. His talk underscored how pharmaceutical medicine bridges clinical expertise with research and development, enabling professionals to contribute to innovations that improve patient outcomes worldwide.

Regulatory and policy updates

A major focus of the convention was regulatory alignment and policy development. Dr Efren Laxamana, Chair of the Board of Medicine at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) and the Level Alignment Matrix (LAM). These charters outline the steps necessary for PCPM to achieve formal recognition as a medical specialty—a milestone that would institutionalize pharmaceutical medicine within the Philippine healthcare system. Dr Laxamana’s guidance is expected to accelerate PCPM’s efforts toward specialty classification, ensuring that pharmaceutical medicine professionals are recognized for their unique contributions.

Complementing this discussion, Assistant Director Edgardo Aranjuez from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) shared the agency’s vision for a “Healthy Philippines.” His presentation highlighted the potential impact of pharmaceutical medicine on national health outcomes and emphasized collaborative strategies between government agencies and the pharmaceutical sector to ensure equitable access to safe and effective medicines.

Health economics and universal healthcare

Economic considerations in healthcare were another key theme. Dr Valerie Gilbert Ulep, senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, provided an update on the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, focusing on financial programs such as YAKAP and GAMOT, which aim to alleviate healthcare costs for Filipino families. Dr Ulep stressed the need for sustainable financing mechanisms to support UHC goals, noting that pharmaceutical medicine plays a critical role in ensuring cost-effective access to essential medicines.

Building on this, Dr John Paul Caesar Delos Trinos, research fellow at the University of Warwick, presented on Economic Evaluation in Health, illustrating methodologies for assessing cost-effectiveness in drug and device studies. His session emphasized the importance of evidence-based evaluations in guiding procurement decisions and optimizing resource allocation within the healthcare system—a crucial step toward achieving universal health coverage.

Industry partnerships and functional services

The lunch symposium featured Dr Kristine San Miguel, Senior Medical Director of M-SERM at PPD, who introduced Thermo Fisher Scientific’s functional service partnerships. These partnerships provide pharmaceutical companies with solutions to streamline medical and regulatory operations, highlighting the growing importance of strategic collaborations in enhancing efficiency and compliance in pharmaceutical medicine.

Institutional progress and future directions

In the afternoon, a panel discussion led by former and current PCPM presidents—Dr Milagros Tan, Dr Herbert Ho, and Dr Jonas Policapio—reflected on the society’s rich history and evolution since its establishment in 1969. The panelists shared personal narratives of professional growth alongside PCPM’s development, while outlining future initiatives, including ongoing efforts to align with PRC requirements for specialty classification. Their discussion reinforced PCPM’s vision of becoming a recognized medical specialty, ensuring that pharmaceutical medicine professionals are equipped to meet global standards.

Celebrating academic milestones

The convention’s highlight was the recognition of new pharmaceutical medicine professionals. The PCPM-Ateneo Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine and Management program celebrated the graduation of Batch 7, comprising ten new graduates who completed seven rigorous modules covering drug discovery, clinical development, regulatory science, pharmacovigilance, ethics, healthcare marketplace dynamics, and communication management. Graduates received diplomas and grade certificates under Ateneo’s Quality Point Index system, marking a significant achievement in professional education. In addition, PCPM conferred 50 diplomates and 15 fellows, reinforcing its commitment to cultivating the next generation of pharmaceutical medicine specialists. These professionals are poised to lead in diverse roles spanning medical affairs, drug safety surveillance, regulatory compliance, and ethical marketing practices—critical functions that ensure medicines are safe, effective, and accessible.

PCPM’s enduring role

As an affiliate of the Philippine Medical Association, PCPM continues to play a pivotal role in advancing pharmaceutical medicine—a discipline dedicated to the discovery, development, evaluation, and monitoring of medicines for the benefit of patients and public health. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, PCPM remains steadfast in its mission to uphold scientific rigor, ethical standards, and patient-centered care in the pharmaceutical sector.