PITAHC Research Agenda
The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) conducts and supports research to strengthen Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCIM) in the Philippines.
Guided by Republic Act No. 8423, the Institute generates scientific evidence on traditional knowledge, natural products, and TCIM modalities that contribute to safe, effective, and culturally relevant health care.
The following Board of Trustees-approved research priority clusters (adopted in 2024) serve as PITAHC's strategic directions for generating evidence, strengthening traditional and complementary medicine, and supporting its integration into the national health system.
Research Priority Clusters
Conservation and Documentation of Traditional Knowledge and Healing Practices
This priority area focuses on documenting, conserving, and protecting Philippine traditional knowledge, healing practices, and cultural heritage related to Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCIM).
Outputs may be used to:
- Strengthen the national database on Philippine traditional medicine
- Support the protection of indigenous knowledge systems
- Develop culturally appropriate health education materials
- Provide a foundation for future research and innovation
Outcome
Supports the preservation of Philippine traditional medicine heritage and strengthens the national knowledge base for evidence-informed practice and policy.
Research and Development on Safety, Efficacy/Benefit, and Quality of Natural Products
This priority area supports research on natural products used in traditional medicine, including studies on safety, efficacy, quality, and potential therapeutic benefits.
Outputs may be used to:
- Generate evidence for safe and effective natural health products
- Support product development and quality assurance initiatives
- Contribute to innovation and technology transfer
- Inform integrative health care policies and programs
Outcome
Contributes to the development of safe, effective, and quality natural health products that can support integrative health care and universal health coverage.
Clinical Research on Safety and Efficacy/Benefit of TCIM Modalities
This priority area covers clinical research on Traditional and Complementary Medicine modalities to establish safety, effectiveness, and benefits for health care delivery.
Outputs may be used to:
- Support evidence-based clinical application of TCIM practices
- Guide integrative service delivery and patient care
- Contribute to clinical recommendations and standards
- Strengthen TCIM's role in universal health care
Outcome
Strengthens the evidence base for TCIM modalities and supports their safe and effective integration into patient-centered health care.
Socio-Cultural, Policy, Systems, Market, and Standards Research
This priority area includes research that informs governance, standards development, systems improvement, and socio-cultural dimensions of TCIM use and acceptance.
Outputs may be used to:
- Guide evidence-informed policies and standards for TCIM practice
- Support program implementation and health systems integration
- Generate insights on utilization, acceptance, and market dynamics
- Strengthen partnerships across government, academe, industry, and communities
Outcome
Informs policies, standards, and systems integration to promote the responsible, effective, and culturally appropriate use of TCIM in the Philippine health sector.
General Criteria
Priority funding shall be given to programs/projects aligned to the Philippine Research and Development (R&D) Framework on TM/CAM and to PITAHC's R&D agenda. Project proposals shall be evaluated using PITAHC's existing project mechanism based on their specific criteria or any or a combination of the following criteria:
- Consistent with PITAHC's Priorities – should comply or be aligned with priority areas identified in the PITAHC R&D framework and agenda.
- Capacity of the Proponent – proponent must have the experience, training and track record to undertake the project through to its completion.
- Institution Capacity – the proposed facilities must be able to house the ongoing project for the duration of the research period.
- Scientific Merit – research should generate new knowledge or be able to apply an innovative approach to existing knowledge.
- Technical and Financial Feasibility – project must be financially and technically tenable within a reasonable cost/budget. Objectives must be attainable and deemed necessary for the project to be undertaken, with expected output and intended beneficiaries.
- Relevance – meets the needs of the industry, government, academe, and the general public.
- Timeliness – responsive to present issues of national, regional, and local concerns.
- Methodology/Strategies for Implementation – must have a complete listing of procedures, materials, statistical analyses, and others including scope and limitations, time (seasonality) and place of study.
- Reasonable Timeframe – project duration activities should be within reasonable limits and consistent with the nature and complexity of the proposed activities.
- Plans for Research Utilization – proposal should include result/output plans for potential end-users.
- Cultural Sensitivity – proposal outcome should be adaptable and acceptable to Philippine cultures and tradition.
- Potential Socio-Economic Impact – project results should create/provide employment, increase income, and address any current/pressing national problem, among others.
- Potential Environmental Impact – the project should not have significant adverse effect on the environment and/or public health.
- Potential Market – proposal end product, process or service should maximize the level of existing demand and its potential for expanding and exploring new markets.
- Technology Readiness for Commercialization – must promote technology transfer (including equipment/engineering support, and process/system).
- Ethical Considerations – must include statement that, where applicable, the ethics, animal care and use, and biosafety clearances will be submitted prior to the conduct of the study.
Documentary Guidelines
PITAHC requires specific documents to be submitted as part of the process. The proponent should submit the following requirements:
- Complete detailed proposal following the prescribed format.
- Detailed breakdown of the required fund assistance to indicate the counterpart of the proponent's institution and other fund sources including letter/s of commitment from the implementing, collaborating, and coordinating agency/ies to be accompanied by a cash program indicating the cash requirements of the project on a monthly basis.
- Monthly Cash Program of the fund requested.
- Counterpart fund, in kind and/or in cash, shall be required from the implementing agency as one of the application requirements. All projects must have a minimum of 15% counterpart contribution except for projects involving public good.
- Curriculum Vitae of the Project Leader and other co-researchers/implementers.
- For the private sector/non-government organizations (NGOs) – additional requirements may apply.
Who Can Use This Research Agenda?
The PITAHC Research Agenda is intended to guide and support:
Research Partnerships
PITAHC welcomes collaboration in priority research areas.
For inquiries, please contact: