Conceptual Design of a Community-based Herbal Manufacturing Laboratory in San Juan, Batangas: An Academe-Rural Community Partnership

Abstract

Background: The College of Pharmacy (CP), University of the Philippines (UP) Manila has been actively involved in the Community Health Development Program (CHDP), which aims to adopt local communities as partners in the promotion and delivery of health care. From 2007 to 2012, CP students underwent community immersion in San Juan, Batangas to help promote the use of herbal preparations as the most accessible solution to common community health problems. To expand and strengthen the initial projects of the students, this study was conceptualized.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a guiding framework for San Juan, Batangas and for other rural communities with a feasibility analysis and conceptual design of setting up an Herbal Processing and Manufacturing Laboratory.

Method: A qualitative cross-sectional design was used in generating technical and financial information for the guiding framework with the following components: 1) feasibility analysis in setting up the herbal laboratory and 2) conceptual design or model to visually present the concepts evaluated in the feasibility study.

Results: The community-based herbal laboratory was envisioned as a small scale and low-cost production facility for a projected small production volume. For the practical purpose of meeting the financial capacity of San Juan, the community members were involved in the operations of the laboratory. The conceptual model was designed to comply with the latest regulatory requirements.

Conclusion: As a reference guide, a community-based herbal manufacturing laboratory can be feasibly implemented in San Juan, Batangas and in other rural communities, in partnership with the UPCP and CHDP.