Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care

What Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care does

The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) attached to the Philippine Department of Health, established on December 7, 1997 under Republic Act No. 8423 (Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997). It is the sole government agency mandated to promote and integrate traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine into the national healthcare system. The organization operates from its headquarters in Quezon City within the East Avenue Medical Center compound, with three regional herbal processing and manufacturing plants in Tacloban, Cagayan Valley, and Davao, and maintains a staff of 29 employees under Director-General Ma. Teresa C. Iñigo.

PITAHC's core operations span four functional areas: scientific validation and manufacturing of herbal medicines (including Lagundi, Sambong, Ulasimang Bato, Tsaang Gubat, and Ampalaya), certification of traditional medicine practitioners across ten recognized modalities, accreditation of healthcare facilities, and clinical research on natural products in partnership with DOST, PCHRD, the University of the Philippines Manila, and Ateneo de Manila University. The organization supports a network of 54 accredited facilities and 683 certified practitioners, and has produced authoritative publications including the Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants of the Philippines (Volumes 1-4) and the Philippine Herbal Pharmacopeia.

The revenue model combines government appropriations and research grants (DOST, PCHRD), product sales of herbal medicines and soaps under the herbacare+ line, certification and accreditation fees, laboratory analytical services, and ancillary income from facility rentals (commercial space and dormitory). Distribution occurs through the certified practitioner network, accredited facilities, and the three regional processing plants. The Board of Trustees, chaired by the Secretary of Health with representation from DOST, DENR, DA, and CHED, provides inter-agency governance. PITAHC is currently pursuing ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification with a certifying body engaged in 2025.

Name

Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care

Legal name

Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care

Website

https://pitahc.gov.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care is a government-owned corporation under the Department of Health that regulates, certifies, and promotes traditional and alternative medicine in the Philippines through validated herbal products, practitioner certification, and facility accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Traditional and Alternative Healthcare Services

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRADAGAD

Herbal & Botanical Supplements

Consumer Products & Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Manufacturing & Brands/Vitamins, Supplements & Sports Nutrition

SECONDARYTHAGAMAF

Ayurveda & Traditional Medicine Retreats

Travel & Hospitality/Lodging & Accommodation/Wellness, Spa & Health Retreats

Keywords

• Traditional medicine regulation
• Herbal medicine manufacturing
• Practitioner certification services
• Healthcare facility accreditation
• Natural products research

Headquarters

HQ city

Quezon City

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of PITAHC herbal products including herbal medicines (Lagundi, Sambong, Ulasimang Bato tablets), herbal soaps (herbacare+ line), and IEC materials
2. Certification and Accreditation Services: Fees for certification of practitioners and accreditation of healthcare facilities in traditional and alternative medicine modalities
3. Research Grants and Government Funding: Government appropriations and research funding from agencies such as DOST and PCHRD for traditional medicine research and development activities
4. Facility Services: Revenue from lease of commercial spaces within PITAHC premises, dormitory rentals, and laboratory analytical services

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PITAHC regulates, certifies, and accredits traditional and alternative healthcare in the Philippines, operating a national registry of 683 certified practitioners and 54 accredited facilities across 10 recognized Traditional and Complementary Medicine modalities. It develops and produces clinically validated herbal medicines (Lagundi, Sambong, Ulasimang Bato, Tsaang Gubat tablets and syrups), herbacare+ herbal soaps, and standardized pharmacopeial references through three regional herbal processing plants. Supporting services include practitioner certification, facility accreditation, laboratory analytical testing, research grants to academic and research institutions, and public access to certified practitioner and accredited facility directories.

Product overview

The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) operates as a platform of traditional and alternative healthcare products and services under a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the Department of Health. The core product portfolio centers on validated herbal medicines including PITAHC Herbal Medicines (Ampalaya, Lagundi, Sambong, Tsaang Gubat), PITAHC Herbal Soaps (herbacare+), and pharmaceutical preparations like Ulasimang Bato 500mg Tablet and Tsaang Gubat Syrup. Supporting services include Laboratory Services, Certification and Accreditation Services for practitioners and facilities, Research Grant Programs, and facility rentals. The organization also publishes educational materials including the Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants of the Philippines (Volumes 1-4) and the Philippine Herbal Pharmacopeia. The platform integrates recognized Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) modalities including Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Hilot, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tuina Massage, Anthroposophic Medicine, and Ayurveda.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PITAHC Herbal Medicines A line of herbal medicines developed from DOH-validated Philippine medicinal plants, ensuring safety, efficacy, and affordability. Includes Ampalaya for Diabetes Mellitus, Lagundi for Cough & Asthma, Sambong for Kidney Stones, and Tsaang Gubat for Stomach Aches, targeted at Filipino consumers and institutional buyers seeking evidence-based traditional remedies.
• PITAHC Herbal Soaps (herbacare+) A line of herbal soaps developed from carefully selected medicinal plants, marketed as part of PITAHC's traditional healthcare product portfolio for personal care use.
• Ulasimang Bato 500mg Tablet A clinically validated herbal tablet derived from Peperomia pellucida, developed through Phase III clinical trials in partnership with the University of the Philippines Manila for safety and efficacy among hyperuricemic patients.
• Tsaang Gubat Syrup A clinically tested syrup derived from Carmona retusa (Vahl) Masam, proven safe and effective for pediatric patients with mild to moderate gastrointestinal colic/pain secondary to acute gastroenteritis.
• Books and IEC Materials A wide range of books and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials designed to promote safe and effective use of traditional and alternative health care for the general public and practitioners.
• Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants of the Philippines (Volumes 1-4) Comprehensive encyclopedic references documenting Philippine medicinal plants with scientific validation and traditional knowledge integration, published by PITAHC for researchers, practitioners, and the public.
• Philippine Herbal Pharmacopeia Official reference documenting standardized specifications for herbal medicines including quality control standards and monographs, published by PITAHC for manufacturers, regulators, and researchers.
• Certification Services Application and processing services for statutory certification in various traditional and alternative healthcare modalities including acupuncture, naturopathy, hilot, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic, osteopathy, tuina massage, anthroposophic medicine, and ayurveda, required for practitioners to legally operate.
• Accreditation Services Accreditation services for healthcare facilities and training centers practicing traditional and alternative medicine nationwide, required to lawfully offer traditional healthcare services in the Philippines.
• Laboratory Services Analytical and quality testing services supporting traditional and alternative healthcare products and research, including stability studies and quality control testing for manufacturers and researchers.
• Research Grant Program Funding opportunities for traditional medicine research and development, awarded to academic and research institutions through submission of research proposals for PITAHC consideration, including DOST- and PCHRD-co-funded medicinal plant and natural product studies.
• Commercial Space Lease Rental of available commercial spaces within PITAHC premises at its East Avenue, Quezon City headquarters for business, wellness, and related services, generating self-finance revenue for the GOCC.
• Dormitory Rental Affordable, convenient and air-conditioned dormitory accommodations at PITAHC headquarters for visitors and trainees of PITAHC certification and training programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 54 accredited facilities nationwide providing traditional healthcare services
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Health (DOH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPITAHC is a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to DOH. The Secretary of Health serves as chair of the PITAHC Board of Trustees, providing direct oversight and integration with national healthcare policy.
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on research and development projects for traditional medicine, including the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)-funded projects on medicinal plants and natural products.
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDENR representative sits on the PITAHC Board of Trustees, contributing to conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants.
• Department of Agriculture (DA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDA representative on Board of Trustees; collaboration on cultivation and sourcing of medicinal plants for herbal product development.
• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHED representative on Board of Trustees; partnership for academic programs and research in traditional medicine at higher education institutions.
• University of the Philippines ManilacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Phase III Clinical Trials of Ulasimang Bato for safety and efficacy among hyperuricemic patients; joint research initiatives.
• Ateneo de Manila UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for Traditional Chinese Medicine Training Program; hosts HealthDev Integrative Clinics at their campus.
• Research Institutions and Accredited ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPITAHC develops scientifically validated traditional healthcare products in partnership with research institutions and accredited manufacturers for herbal medicines.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Dabur India Limited: One of the world's largest Ayurvedic and natural health products companies with branded herbal formulations across multiple dosage forms. Comparable to PITAHC's manufacturing operations and use of DOH/DOST-validated herbal ingredients, with broader portfolio and global retail distribution.
• Boiron Group: French multinational and global leader in homeopathic medicines, demonstrating how a specialist in non-conventional modalities (homeopathy is one of PITAHC's 10 recognized modalities) can scale regulatory-compliant products internationally. Comparable to PITAHC in standardized manufacturing of non-conventional medicines and pharmacopoeia-grade quality control.
• Schwabe Group / Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals: German phytopharmaceutical and homeopathic manufacturer with a research-driven approach to plant-based medicines. Comparable to PITAHC's scientific validation of medicinal plants and clinical-trial-driven product development, particularly relevant given PITAHC's Phase III clinical trial activities with UP Manila.

Direct peers

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): U.S. federal agency under NIH responsible for research, training, and dissemination of evidence on complementary and alternative medicine. Comparable to PITAHC in its government mandate to scientifically validate traditional healing practices and fund clinical research, though without PITAHC's manufacturing or accreditation roles.
• Ministry of AYUSH (Government of India): India's central ministry dedicated to Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homeopathy. Most directly comparable to PITAHC as the national government regulator promoting, validating, and integrating traditional medicine systems into public healthcare, with parallel functions in research funding, practitioner recognition, and product development.
• National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine: China's government agency overseeing traditional Chinese medicine policy, education, and clinical integration. Most directly comparable to PITAHC in combining regulatory authority over TCM modalities (which PITAHC also recognizes as a licensed practice) with policy-level integration into the national health system.

Emerging players

• Patanjali Ayurved Limited: Indian Ayurvedic products and natural medicine company co-founded with a yoga guru, offering herbal medicines, supplements, and personal care. Comparable to PITAHC in combining traditional botanical knowledge with manufactured dosage forms (tablets, syrups) and operating in the convergence zone between traditional healing heritage and modern manufacturing.
• Himalaya Wellness Company: Global herbal and botanical health products manufacturer with clinically validated product lines and scientific validation programs. Comparable to PITAHC's herbal product manufacturing side (Lagundi, Sambong, Ulasimang Bato tablets) in offering evidence-based botanical medicines, though operating as a private commercial player rather than a government regulator.

Regional players

• Thailand Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine: Thailand's government department under the Ministry of Public Health responsible for promoting Thai traditional medicine, alternative medicine, and herbal product development. Closest regional regulatory peer to PITAHC in Southeast Asia with overlapping mandate in national herbal policy and practitioner certification.

Others

• Emami Limited: Indian FMCG and Ayurvedic personal care company with operations spanning herbal healthcare, personal care, and Ayurvedic OTC products. Comparable to PITAHC's consumer product side (herbal soaps like herbacare+) and integration of validated botanicals into personal care and OTC formats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/philippine-institute-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care