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Think Pink: United for Better Access and Outcomes for Patients

December 27, 2025

February 27–28, 2025 — Quezon City


At the Philippine National Cancer Summit (PNCS) 2025, the forum “THINK PINK: United for Better Access and Outcomes for Patients” brought together patient advocates, medical experts, government representatives, and researchers to address one pressing question: How can the Philippines ensure timely, affordable access to life-saving cancer medicines?

Organized by the Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation (PCS CANCOM) and supported by Novartis Healthcare Philippines, the forum spotlighted the role of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process—a key step in determining which medicines are included in the Philippine National Formulary (PNF) and thus made available through government programs.

Key Calls to Action

Short-Term Solutions

  • Increase patient group participation in DOH and PhilHealth technical working groups (TWGs).
  • Continue developing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to speed up HTA reviews.
  • Expand PhilHealth benefit packages to cover more essential medicines in the PNF.
  • Maximize alternative assistance programs like the DOH’s MAIFIP and social service funding.
  • Reinstitute exemption pathways to allow interim access to treatments not yet in the PNF.

Long-Term Solutions

  • Improve the HTA process through ASEAN harmonization and better data availability.
  • Explore commercial agreements with manufacturers for faster, more affordable procurement.
  • Strengthen collaboration among medical societies, patient organizations, and policymakers to ensure evidence-based, patient-centered policy decisions.

Patient-Centered Policy in Action

Speakers emphasized that access to cancer treatment is not just about clinical efficacy—it’s about timeliness, affordability, and suitability for Filipino patients. Real-world examples from the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) showed how targeted programs like the Cancer and Supportive-Palliative Medicines Access Program (CSPMAP) and the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) can significantly improve availability despite resource constraints.

Forum discussions also tackled the moratorium on HTA nominations, the need for more CPG funding, and strategies to leverage existing ASEAN HTA findings to accelerate access in the Philippines.

As Dr. Soledad Balete of JRRMMC put it:

“We have to step up to the generation right now. Kung ano yung maganda, ano yung updated, (at) ano yung makakabuti sa taumbayan…”

The THINK PINK forum underscored that meaningful progress in cancer care requires more than science—it needs collaboration, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to put patients first.

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    Other HEOR/health Financing Portfolio (Non-Metahealth)

    DELOS TRINOS, JOHN PAUL R. 

    • Project Leader – Scoping and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Interventions for the Prevention of Fireworks-Related Injuries in Metro Manila (Mar 2024 – Present)
Leading a scoping study and cost-benefit analysis to assess preventive interventions for fireworks-related injuries. Funded by the Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health. 
    • Project Leader – Cost Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Community-Based Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Screening Program (Mar 2024 – Present)
Conducting a cost analysis and cost-effectiveness evaluation of a gestational diabetes screening program in community settings. Funded by the Institute for Reproductive Health Philippines Foundation Inc. 
    • Technical Consultant – Cost Analysis and Epidemiological Study for the Development of Rehabilitation Services Benefit Packages for Adults in the Philippines (Oct 2018 – May 2019)
Conducted cost analysis and epidemiological research to support the development of rehabilitation benefit packages. Implemented under Physicians for Peace Philippines Inc. and funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. 
    • Costing and Epidemiology Consultant – Development of a PhilHealth Benefit Package for Mental Health (Apr 2019 – May 2019)
Provided technical assistance on the development of mental health benefit packages for PhilHealth. Implemented under Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes Inc. and funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. 

    Relevant Publications

    DELOS TRINOS, JOHN PAUL R. 

    • Bundoc, J. R., Jiao, P. M., Ang-Muñoz, C. D., Geroy, L. S. A., Mauricio, M. U., delos Trinos, J. R., Valera, P. M., Hernandez, J. B., & Encarnacion, P. C. (2022). Function-based rehabilitation model: An initial step towards universal health coverage. Acta Medica Philippina, 56(4), 10–19. https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v56i4.3584
    • Chernoff, E., Silverstein, G., delos Trinos, J., Veldkamp, P., Chang, J., & Belizario, V. (2020). Health and education officials’ perspectives on the impact of Typhoon Haiyan on mass drug administration for soil-transmitted helminth infections in the Philippines. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 14(5), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2020.34
    • delos Trinos, J. P. C., Coffeng, L. E., Garcia, F. Jr., Belizario, V. Jr., Wiseman, V., Watts, C., et al. (2024). Cost and budget impact of mass drug administration compared to expanded school-based targeted preventive chemotherapy for soil-transmitted helminth control in Zamboanga Peninsula, the Philippines. The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, 50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.100050
    • delos Trinos, J. R., Ng-Nguyen, D., Coffeng, L. E., Dyer, C. E. F., Clarke, N., Traub, R., et al. (2023). Cost and cost-effectiveness analysis of mass drug administration compared to school-based targeted preventive chemotherapy for hookworm control in Dak Lak province, Vietnam. The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, 41, 100913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100913

    Leong, R. N., delos Trinos, J. R., Gerodias, F., Mojica, V. J., Alconera, C. J., Tamayo, R. L., Alacapa, J., Almirol, B. J., Paredes, K. P., Lim, S., & Tumanan-Mendoza, B. (2023). Budget impact analysis of utilization of Sacubitril/Valsartan for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the Philippines. Value in Health Regional Issues, 36, 105–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2023.02.009
(Corresponding author)

    Relevant Certifications / Trainings

    DELOS TRINOS, JOHN PAUL R. 

    Academic Qualifications 

    • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health – Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia (2019–2023)
Thesis: Cost, Effectiveness, and Cost-Effectiveness of Preventive Chemotherapy for the Control of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Vietnam and the Philippines
Funding: Scientia PhD Scholarship 
    • Master of Public Health (Health Economic Evaluation) & Master of Health Leadership and Management (with Excellence) – School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia (2017–2018)
Funding: Australia Awards Scholarship 

    Professional Training and Specialized Courses 

    1. Healthcare Modeling Course (Foundations and Advanced) – TreeAge LLC (Online, Mar 15–16 & 22–23, 2022)
Advanced training in decision tree analysis, Markov modeling, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis using TreeAge Pro software. 
    1. Short Course on Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis – National University of Singapore, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Online, Apr 19–23, 2021) 

    Focused on incorporating equity considerations into cost-effectiveness analysis to inform policy decisions. 

    1. Advanced Methods for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Meeting Decision-Makers’ Requirements – York Centre for Health Economics (Online, Nov 8 – Dec 3, 2020) 

    Provided in-depth training on methodological advancements in economic evaluation for health technology assessment and policy decision-making. 

    1. Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program – Joanna Briggs Institute, St. George Private Hospital (Sep 9–11, 2019) 

    Relevant Publications

    LEONG, ROBERT NEIL F. 

    • Hansen, M. A., Lekodeba, N. A., Chevalier, J. M., Ockhuisen, T., del Rey-Puech, P., Marban-Castro, E., Martínez-Pérez, G. Z., Shilton, S., Abu Hassan, M. R., Getia, V., Weinert-Mizuschima, C., Tenorio Bezerra, M. I., Chala, L.,Leong, R. N.,Peregino, R., Keller, S., Spruijt, I., Johnson, C. C., Girdwood, S. J., & Nichols, B. E. (2024). Cost of SARS-CoV-2 self-test distribution programmes by different modalities: A micro-costing study in five countries (Brazil, Georgia, Malaysia, Ethiopia, and the Philippines). BMJ Open, 14(4), e078852. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078852
    • Leong, R. N., delos Trinos, J. P. C., Gerodias Jr., F., Mojica, V. J., Alconera, C. J., Tamayo, R. L., Alacapa, J., Almirol, B. J., Paredes, K. P., Lim, S., & Tumanan-Mendoza, B. (2023). Budget impact analysis of utilization of Sacubitril/Valsartan for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the Philippines. Value in Health Regional Issues, 36, 105–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2023.06.004
    • Leong, R. N., Wood, J., Liu, B., Menzies, R., & Newall, A. (2021). Estimating pertussis incidence in general practice using a large Australian primary care database. Vaccine, 39(30), 4153–4159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.06.040
    • Leong, R. N., delos Trinos, J. R., Gerodias, F., Mojica, V. J., Alconera, C. J., Tamayo, R. L., Alacapa, J., Almirol, B. J., Paredes, K. P., Lim, S., & Tumanan-Mendoza, B. (2023). Budget impact analysis of utilization of Sacubitril/Valsartan for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the Philippines. Value in Health Regional Issues, 36, 105–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2023.02.009
(Corresponding author) 
    • Newall, A., Leong, R. N., Reyes, J., Curns, A., Rudd, J., Tate, J., Macartney, K., & Parashar, U. (2021). Rotavirus vaccination likely to be cost-saving to society in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases.https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab678
    • Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), Department of Health, Australia. (2018). National program adoptions of pneumococcal vaccines for adults aged 65 years old and above and high-risk groups in Australia. 

    Relevant Certifications / Trainings

    LEONG, ROBERT NEIL F. 

    Academic Qualifications 

    • Doctor of Philosophy in Population Health – University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia
Concentrations: Biostatistics, Mathematical Epidemiology, and Health Economics.
    • Master of Science in Statistics – De La Salle University, Philippines 
    • Bachelor of Science in Statistics (Major in Actuarial Science) – De La Salle University, Philippines 

    Bionote 

    Robert is an internationally trained biostatistician, mathematical epidemiologist, and economic evaluation specialist with extensive experience in health data analytics, health economics, and mathematical modeling. He is the Chief Data Officer of metaHealth Insights and Innovations, Inc., leading health technology assessments (HTAs) to support evidence-based decision-making for healthcare interventions.

    Robert’s expertise in vaccine economics, biostatistics, and health modeling has been duly recognized with his appointment as a voting member of the inaugural Philippine National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (2024–present), where he chairs the Health Economics subcommittee, providing strategic guidance on the cost-effectiveness and programmatic implications of immunization policies.

    He has been involved in economic evaluations of vaccines, including rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines, supporting their inclusion in National Immunization Programs in the United States and Australia. In the Philippines, his work has also guided the inclusion of cardio- and immunotherapeutic medicines in the Philippine National Formulary, ensuring equitable access to essential treatments.

    Robert holds a PhD from UNSW Sydney, Australia. He is an active member of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), the Philippine Statistical Association Inc. (PSAI), the American Statistical Association (ASA), and the International Statistics Institute (ISI).

    Other HEOR/health Financing Portfolio (Non-Metahealth)

    ALACAPA, JASON V. 

    • Senior Consultant (Health Economics and Outcomes Research & Real-World Evidence) – IQVIA Asia-Pacific (Dec 2022 – Nov 2023)
Led projects in health economics, outcomes research, and real-world evidence engagements across Asia-Pacific, covering oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, infectious diseases, and vaccines. Provided technical expertise in HTA and health economic modeling for markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Philippines. 
    • Asia Regional Consultant (Innovative Financing) – USAID Health Systems for Tuberculosis, Management Sciences for Health (Jul 2023 – Jan 2024)
Led the national pilot and international expert consultation for the TB Sustainability Index (TBSI) tool, assessing sustainable TB financing across the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. 
    • Implementation Research/Trial Manager Consultant (Economic Evaluation) – KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (Sep 2022 – Aug 2023)
Conducted an economic evaluation of digital adherence technologies (DATs) for TB in five countries, with a strong focus on the Philippines. Funded by UNITAID. 
    • Project Co-Lead and Senior Consultant (TB Health Economics/Financing) – USAID CLAIMHEALTH, Panagora (Jul 2021 – Dec 2021)
Led the cost-effectiveness evaluation of using artificial intelligence for tuberculosis active case-finding activities through digital x-rays. 
    • National Consultant (Innovative Financing) – USAID TB Implementation Framework Agreement (TIFA), John Snow Inc. (JSI) (May 2021 – Jun 2021)
Developed policy briefs and terms of reference on innovative financing strategies and contracting mechanisms for local government unit (LGU) grantees in the Philippines. 
    • National Consultant (Innovative Financing) – USAID TB Implementation Framework Agreement (TIFA), John Snow Inc. (JSI) (Mar 2020 – May 2020)
Designed a rapid assessment tool for prospective partner countries and conducted a landscape review of health financing mechanisms for tuberculosis in the Philippines. 

    Relevant Publications

    ALACAPA, JASON V. 

    • Alacapa, J. V., delos Trinos, J. R., Ignacio, M. L. S., Leong, R. N. F., & Monis, J. D. (2020, September). Economic evaluation in the Philippines before the era of mandatory health technology assessment: A systematic review. Poster presented at the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Asia-Pacific Virtual Conference. Published in Value in Health Regional Issues.
    • Alacapa, J., [Other Authors]. (2021). Cost-utility analysis of a tuberculosis intensified case-finding strategy with an artificial intelligence-powered mobile digital chest X-ray in two tertiary hospitals in the Philippines, using a societal perspective: An additional analysis. CLAimHealth: Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting for Improved Health Activity, Good Practices and Promising Interventions, Technical Series No. 8. Commissioned by the U.S. Agency for International Development. 
    • Alacapa, J. V., Francisco, R, Uy, K. N., & Leong, R. N. F. (2022, November). Cost-utility analysis of artificial intelligence-powered intensified case screening finding strategies in two urban centers in Mega Manila, the Philippines. Poster presented at The Union World Conference on Lung Health.
    • Alacapa, J. V. (2024, August). TB Financial Sustainability Index (TB FSI): Cambodia Report. Management Sciences for Health (MSH) && USAID Headquarters. 
    • Alacapa, J. V. (2024, September). TB Financial Sustainability Index (TB FSI): Philippines Report. Management Sciences for Health (MSH) & USAID Headquarters. 
    • Alacapa, J. V. (2024, October). TB Financial Sustainability Index (TB FSI): Viet Nam Report. Management Sciences for Health (MSH) & USAID Headquarters. 
    • Leong, R. N., delos Trinos, J. R., Gerodias, F., Mojica, V. J., Alconera, C. J., Tamayo, R. L., Alacapa, J., Almirol, B. J., Paredes, K. P., Lim, S., & Tumanan-Mendoza, B. (2023). Budget impact analysis of utilization of Sacubitril/Valsartan for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the Philippines. Value in Health Regional Issues, 36, 105–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2023.02.009
(Corresponding author) 
    • Goscé, L., Alacapa, J., Tadesse, A. W., Foster, N., van Kalmthout, K., van Rest, J., van der Wal, J., Harker, M. J., Madden, N., Abdurhman, T., Gadissa, D., Bedru, A., Dube, T. N., Mganga, A., Deyanova, N., Charalambous, S., Letta, T., Jerene, D., White, R., Fielding, K. L., Houben, R. M. G. J., & McQuaid, C. F. (2024). Modelling the epidemiological and economic impact of digital adherence technologies with differentiated care for tuberculosis treatment in Ethiopia. BMJ Global Health, 9(12), e016997. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-016997
    • Watts, C., Alacapa, J. V., Atieli, H., Lee, A., Yan, G., & Wiseman, V. (2021). Rethinking the economic costs of malaria: Accounting for the co-morbidities of malaria patients in Western Kenya. Malaria Journal, 20(1), 432. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03958-x

    Wong, J. Q., Co, S. A. L., Haw, N. J. L., Cortez, J. F., Bagas, J., Reyes, M. S. G., Lim, H. P. M., Fowler, K. C., & Alacapa, J. V. (2015). Colorectal cancer screening in the Philippines: A cost-utility analysis. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/about_us/studies/abstract/14.ColorectalCancerScreening2015.pdf

    Relevant Certifications / Trainings

    ALACAPA, JASON V. 

    Academic Qualifications 

    • Doctor of Public Health in Implementation Science – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH), USA (2020–2026, Ongoing)
Completed coursework; ongoing dissertation. 
    • Master of Science in Data Science for Health and Social Care – The University of Edinburgh (UoE), UK (2022–2025)
Thesis: Predicting Accidents & Emergencies (A&E) Waiting Time Adherence: A Supervised Machine Learning Approach to Meeting the 4-Hour Standard in Scottish Hospitals. 
    • Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health Informatics – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH), USA (2021) 
    • Dual Master of Public Health (Economic Evaluation) and Master of Health Management (High Distinction) – The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Australia (2017–2018)
Thesis: Cost Estimation of Treating Pediatric Inpatient Malaria Cases and the Associated Co-Morbidities at a Rural County Hospital in Western Kenya, Using a Healthcare Provider Perspective. 
    • Master of Business Administration – Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Philippines (2015–2016)
Thesis: Design Thinking in Education and Healthcare: The National Christian Life College Case Studies. 
    • Doctor of Medicine, Cum Laude – University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila), Philippines (2009–2014)
Thesis: Evaluation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital. 
    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Cum Laude – University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila), Philippines (2004–2008) 

    Professional Training and Specialized Courses 

    • Harnessing Systems Modeling and Simulation to Guide Strategic Health Investments and Actions – Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) (Online, Aug 2021) 
    • Complex Systems Modelling in Public Health – University of Michigan School of Public Health (Online, Jul 2021) 
    • Monte Carlo and Markov Chain for Infectious Diseases – University of Washington (Online, Jul 2021) 
    • Simulation Modeling of Tobacco Use, Health Effects, and Policy Impacts – University of Michigan School of Public Health (Online, Jul 2021) 
    • Economic Evaluation in Global Health – University of Washington, Department of Global Health (MOOC, Jul–Sep 2019) 
    • Budget Impact Analysis – ISPOR Asia Pacific (Tokyo, Japan, Sep 2018) 
    • Introduction to Health Economic Modelling – Monash University (Melbourne, Australia, Jul 2018) 
    • Health Financing Policy for Universal Healthcare – World Health Organization (MOOC, Feb 2018) 
    • Introduction to the General Burden of Disease – Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (MOOC, Feb–Mar 2019)