Cheaper medicines

WE MAY feel exhausted battling COVID-19 for the past two years but the reality is that we are fighting a lot of diseases and illnesses for a long time.

We need improvement in our healthcare system which includes affordable and quality medicines for all.

Just recently, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the imposition of the maximum retail and whole prices on more medicines to further improve access to healthcare. He signed Executive Order (EO) 155 that expands the number of medicines commonly used for leading causes of morbidity.

This is consistent with Republic Act (RA) No. 11223 or the “Universal Health Care Act” to improve access to affordable and quality medicines and reduce health-related out-of-pocket expenses of Filipinos.

The EO imposes maximum rental and wholesale prices for medicines. The criteria used in imposing this was based on those that are used to treat diseases that are deemed top causes of mortality in the country, those with high price differentials, limited price competition or lack of market access, and those that are expensive but are most prescribed and dispensed in the market.

All manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, traders, and retailers are required to display the retail price which shall not exceed the maximum retail price.

Under Section 2 of the EO, there is a labelling requirement for maximum retail price where the medicine intended for sale shall display the retail price (which shall not exceed the maximum retail price) and that it should be followed by the words “RETAIL PRICE NOT TO EXCEED” and “UNDER DRUG PRICE REGULATION” on a red strip. This should be printed on the label of the immediate container of the drug and medicine.

Accordingly, the list of medicines and their maximum retail price shall be reviewed by the Department of Health together with the Department of Trade and Industry six months from the effectivity of the EO, and every six months thereafter.

Any violations, under Section 7, shall be dealt with in accordance with RA No. 9502, and other related laws. Under RA No. 9502, the Health Secretary is directed to investigate any alleged violations of the regulations, impose administrative fines and penalties, and call upon and deputize government entities for assistance necessary to implement the EO.

This EO ensures that we can avail ourselves with and have access to cheaper medicines. This aims to protect public health and interest as a whole./PN