The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has honored the late Unilab Founder and Chairman Emeritus Jose Y. Campos “The Father of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry” during PMA’s 99th Annual Convention held last May 20 at the Manila Hotel.

Jose Y. Campos founded United Laboratories, Inc. (UNILAB) as a small corner drugstore in war-torn Manila in 1945 and transformed it into the country’s leading pharmaceutical company with over 300 prescription and consumer health brands covering common illnesses and major chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and tuberculosis.

Unilab, one of the country’s flagship companies that helped rehabilitate and transform the country’s postwar economy, has been consistently ranked among the top 50 corporations in the Philippines. Unilab now has at least 20 percent market share, the highest in the country dominated by some of the world’s biggest multinationals. Some Unilab consumer brands are established market leaders in the Philippines.

PMA conferred on Campos the distinction of “Father of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry” for his lifetime work and achievement that affirmed the validity of his mission to provide Filipinos with better access to affordable quality healthcare. He was also cited for cultivating a strong partnership with the country’s medical professionals and healthcare institutions, and for consistently supporting their programs of continuing medical education and service to the communities.

PMA likewise honored Campos for pioneering a corporate philosophy based on the Filipino trait, Bayanihan, now the hallmark of Unilab’s corporate culture and key to its success in the pharmaceutical industry.

All these, PMA said, highlights Jose Y. Campos’ important role in upgrading the country’s pharmaceutical industry and in helping in nation building as a Filipino entrepreneur.

In photo: Unilab Chairman of the Board Jocelyn Campos Hess (3rd from left) receives the award for Unilab Founder Jose Y. Campos during the PMA’s 99th Annual Convention held last May 20, 2006 at the Manila Hotel. Shown in photo are (from left) incoming PMA President Dr. Jose Asa Sabili, outgoing PMA President Dr. Modesto O. Llamas, Awards Committee Chairperson Dr. Nenita C. Lee Tan, and Annual Convention Chairperson Dr. Eileen Habawel. Also in photo is Unilab AVP for Professional Relations Francisco M. Morales.