MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the price cap of more drugs for the leading causes of the morbidity in the country, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Duterte signed on Tuesday Executive Order No. 155, which sets the maximum retail price for 34 drug molecules and 71 drug formulas used in agents of the following:
-bone metabolism
-analgesics
-anesthetics
-anti-angina
-antiarrhythmics
-anti-asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medicines, -antibiotics
-anticoagulants
-anticonvulsants
-antidiabetic drugs
-antidiuretics
-antiemetics
Also covered are drug molecules and formulas used in:
-anti-glaucoma medicines
-anti-hypercholesterolemia medicines
-antihypertensive medicines
-anti-neoplastic/anti-cancer medicines
-antiparkinsons drugs
-drugs for overactive bladders
-growth hormone inhibitors
-immunosuppressant drugs
-iron chelating agents,
-psoriasis, seborrhea and ichthyosis medicines
“This is part of efforts to improve access to affordable, quality medicines and reduce the health-related expenses of our countrymen, consistent with the goals of the Universal Health Care Act,” acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a statement.
In 2020, Duterte signed an EO setting a price cap on certain medicines.
The new order requires all manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, traders, and retailers to “display the retail price which shall not exceed the maximum retail price.”
The list of medicines and their corresponding maximum retail price and maximum wholesale price will be subject to the review of the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry six months from the effectivity of the EO, and every six months thereafter.
Violations of the issuance shall be dealt with in accordance with Republic Act No. 9502 or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 and other related laws.
The Secretary of Health shall probe alleged violations of the price cap, impose administrative fines and penalties, and call upon and deputize government entities for assistance to implement the order.
Under the law, the Health Secretary has the power to impose administrative fines of not less than P50,000 or more than P5 million.