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Former Health Secretary Alran Bengzon passes away

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772689112603da134787-c3d5-4723-969d-aac20117d63a.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Dr. Alfredo Bengzon. Screenshot from the Ateneo de Manila University on YouTube</div>MANILA — Alfredo &quot;Alran&quot; Bengzon, who served as secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) and championed affordable medicine, has passed away. He was 90.Bengzon passed away on Tuesday, March 3, the DOH said in a Facebook post.&quot;Rest in peace, [Secretary] Bengzon,&quot; the agency wrote.The department described Bengzon as &quot;a compassionate physician and a visionary leader&quot; who &quot;devoted his life to making healthcare more accessible and affordable for every Filipino.&quot;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDOHgovPH%2Fposts%2Fpfbid086U3i6iFSM11hSECbVHw9mYfTCUnzfuQon7kzBLKqegrxgsrUjSo6z81WAjPCa1ul&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="729" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Bengzon is best known for championing and helping implement the Philippines&#x27; Generics Act, which gave Filipinos access to lower-priced options for medicine.He also advocated the National Drug Policy, which sought to further improve access to medicines.In 1991, Bengzon received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, regarded as Asia&#x27;s equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize, for government service.Bengzon also founded the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health in 2007, which the Ateneo said in a memorandum was a culmination of his &quot;visionary goal of nurturing the next generation of physician leaders.&quot;Bengzon attended the Ateneo de Manila University, where he earned his  Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude, in 1956.He went on to pursue medical studies at the University of the Philippines and earned an MBA degree at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

Doctor Alfredo 'Alran' Bengzon, who served as secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) in the 1980s, has passed away. He was 90.

Doctor Alfredo 'Alran' Bengzon, who served as secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) in the 1980s, has passed away. He was 90.

Alran Bengzon, ex-DOH chief who advocated affordable medicine, passes away

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Alran Bengzon, ex-DOH chief who advocated affordable medicine, passes away

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 05, 2026 01:56 PM PHT

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Alfredo Bengzon

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Alran Bengzon

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