UMVA has learned that high-ranking officials from the Philippines, including the Chair of the House Committee on Trade and Industry and the Chair of the House Committee on Health, recently paid a visit to Amherst Laboratories, a leading manufacturing facility of Unilab, Inc., the country's premier pharmaceutical and health company.
The officials, Rep. Maximo Dalog, Jr. and Rep. Ciriaco B. Gato, Jr., were given a comprehensive tour of the facility, where they gained valuable insights into Unilab's cutting-edge manufacturing operations, stringent quality assurance systems, and significant investments in pharmaceutical research and development.
Unilab boasts an impressive eight manufacturing plants across the Philippines, with Amherst Laboratories standing out as the largest, situated within a sprawling 3.5-hectare Pharma Campus in Laguna. Notably, this plant has set a precedent as the first in the country to meet the rigorous Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards of the European Union and Singapore.
The Amherst facility is a powerhouse of production, churning out over 200 types of ingestible solid medicines and 69 liquid products. Its state-of-the-art infrastructure ensures seamless operations and remote monitoring, safeguarding against disruptions caused by power fluctuations or failures.
During their visit, the lawmakers witnessed firsthand the meticulous quality standards that underpin the production of Unilab products. They were briefed on global manufacturing benchmarks for pharmaceutical and healthcare products, as well as opportunities for local companies like Unilab to elevate the domestic health industry.
The visit aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s vision for the Philippines to emerge as a self-sufficient pharmaceutical hub in ASEAN. The officials expressed their admiration for Unilab's commitment to maintaining its manufacturing operations in the country, highlighting the creation of employment opportunities and the showcase of Filipino talent and ingenuity.
Unilab's portfolio encompasses over 500 brands of top-quality prescription, over-the-counter, and personal care products. With a legacy spanning over eight decades, the company has established itself as a trusted source of quality medicines and health products for Filipinos.
The company's dedication to globally recognized standards across research, manufacturing, quality assurance, and post-market surveillance has earned it a reputation as a benchmark in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Its in-house research and development team continually strives to develop evidence-based solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Filipinos.
Unilab's stringent quality control processes are a hallmark of its operations, with rigorous checks in place at every step, from sourcing raw materials to post-marketing surveillance. The company's excellence has been acknowledged through prestigious awards, including the Philippine Quality Award for Performance Excellence and the Philippine Quality Award for Mastery in Quality Management for Amherst Laboratories.
