Drug makers disregarding medicine price cap to face penalty–DOH 

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday warned drug manufacturers that they will be penalized if they will not comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive order cutting the retail prices of some 87 high-cost medicines by up to 58 percent.In a press briefing, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the DOH will immediately issue an administrative order to ensure the effective implementation of Malacañang’s Executive Order No. 104 on the Maximum Drug Retail Price (MDRP) and disseminate the implementing guidelines to stakeholders.

“Violations of the price caps will be dealt with in accordance with the Cheaper Medicines Act and other relevant laws together with the DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] and the FDA [Food and Drug Administration],” he said.

The price ceilings for the 87 medicines with 133 formulations at the point of wholesale and retail shall be imposed in public and private drug retail outlets including chain and independent drugstores, hospital pharmacies, health maintenance organizations, and other outlets within 90 days, according to the health chief.

The EO covers select medicines used to treat hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary disease, and cancer, among others. The MDRP is still subject to special discounts to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Aside from the 87 medicines already covered by the EO, the DOH, together with the DTI and other stakeholders, was also tasked to review the price reduction of 35 other medicines to finalize the list of drugs covered by the EO.

In November last year, the DOH noted the results of a Pulse Asia survey showing that 99 percent of Filipinos do not buy all of their prescribed medicines because of its high cost. The survey also found that 71 percent of Filipinos are willing and able to spend only less than P1,000 for a month’s supply of medicines, while only 24 percent are willing to spend up to P5,000.

“With the limited ability of many Filipinos to support even their basic needs, how can they even pay for expensive medications which could amount to P5 million to treat cancer, for example?” Duque said.

“We cannot accept these sky-high prices as the norm. The industry and health institutions must be socially responsible and ensure that medicines are within reach of the ordinary Filipino. All of us should be sincere in providing fair and affordable access to medicines. The health of our people is primordial over business interests,” he added.

Edited by JPV