Health is a fundamental human right. Everyone should have a fair opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of social, economic, geographic, or demographic circumstances. This vision is at the core of universal healthcare (UHC), and it is why the research-based pharmaceutical industry remains committed to leveraging innovation to advance health equity.
Three foundational elements anchor this commitment: strengthening primary healthcare, ensuring sustainable financing, and promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships. In the Philippines, the PHAPCares Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), works closely with member companies to turn these priorities into action. One shining example is its collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, whose programs have become models of how industry can help reduce inequities and improve access to care.
“Partnerships are the cornerstone of sustainable impact. Our collaboration with the PHAPCares Foundation exemplifies how collective action can drive meaningful change in public health and social development. Through this alliance, we’ve been able to align our corporate social responsibility goals with broader national priorities — extending our reach, deepening our engagement, and ensuring that our initiatives are both responsive and relevant,” said Dr. Bin Wang, General Manager of Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines.
For Boehringer Ingelheim, corporate social responsibility is not peripheral; it is a direct expression of their purpose: Transforming Lives for Generations. Guided by its Sustainable Development for Generations (SD4G) framework, the company aligns its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Of its three pillars, “More Health” stands out for expanding access to healthcare and preventive solutions, particularly in underserved communities.
Among Boehringer Ingelheim’s flagship programs is the Angels Initiative, dedicated to transforming stroke care nationwide. Stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases were the third leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2024, claiming nearly 60,000 lives or around 10% of all recorded deaths.
To address this urgent challenge, the Angels Initiative partnered with the Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP) and other stakeholders to increase the number of stroke-ready hospitals and train and build the capacity of healthcare professionals in stroke management. Also among the initiative’s objectives are to strengthen emergency medical services and acute stroke networks and raise public awareness of stroke prevention and timely response.
The PHAPCares Foundation earlier recognized the Angels Initiative with a Seal of Excellence in Sustainability and Innovation, citing its transformative approach to bridging gaps in stroke care. The Seal was adjudged by representatives from the Department of Health and the Philippine Medical Association.
The program leverages hospital consultancy, digital training tools, and real-time maps of thrombolysis-ready facilities to accelerate treatment. Its structured approach, through five pillars namely consultancy, knowledge, standardization, quality monitoring, and community engagement has delivered measurable improvements.
With the collaboration, 66 hospitals have been certified as Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals (ASRHs), ensuring timely, evidence-based treatment for patients.
Relatedly, the initiative launched a Center of Excellence Award to honor outstanding stroke care facilities. Through the World Stroke Organization (WSO) Angels Awards, it has raised standards for stroke management across the country.
Now, more than 165 nurses across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have been trained and certified through the Stroke Nurse Masterclass program. Meanwhile, the ANGELS Academy and simulation workshops continue to build the readiness of hospitals for ASRH certification.
“The Angels Initiative exemplifies our commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring timely, quality care for patients across the country,” Dr. Wang emphasized.
Beyond stroke care, Boehringer Ingelheim has also confronted another persistent public health challenge: rabies. The Philippines remains one of the few rabies-endemic countries, with preventable deaths occurring every year.
In response, the company launched its Stop Rabies Project in 2021, beginning in Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, and later expanding to Marinduque; Los Baños, Laguna; and Bacolod City. The program has delivered tangible results. Among these is that more than 12,000 dogs and cats were vaccinated against rabies across Puerto Galera and Marinduque. Over 486 animals were spayed, helping control stray populations and reduce community exposure risks.
Moreover, the program has reached 700 schoolchildren through rabies education since 2022, with plans to expand to over 71,000 students in multiple provinces beginning this year.
Certified Rabies Educators, trained by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), have also been deployed to schools and communities, supported by local partners and employee volunteers.
This holistic approach, combining vaccination, population management, education, and community engagement, demonstrates how sustainable impact can be achieved when multiple stakeholders act together.
“We believe that multi-stakeholder partnerships are not just strategic — they are essential in addressing health inequities, protecting our environment, and empowering communities. They allow us to transform intent into action and action into outcomes that matter for the Filipino people,” Dr. Wang, who is also treasurer of PHAPCares, said.
For PHAPCares, these initiatives highlight how private sector leadership, aligned with national health priorities, can accelerate progress toward UHC. Whether by reducing the burden of stroke, preventing rabies deaths, or empowering frontline health workers, programs like Boehringer Ingelheim’s bring the vision of health equity closer to reality.
The journey to health equity, however, cannot be carried by one organization alone. As the biopharmaceutical industry continues to collaborate with members and partners, we reaffirm our belief that collective action is the surest path to a healthier, more equitable Philippines.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are at the forefront of developing, investing and delivering innovative medicines, vaccines and diagnostics for Filipinos to live healthier and more productive lives.
