Cheaper Medicines

photo from http://www.doh.gov.ph/photogallery/displayimage.php?album=188&pos=3



GMA’s administration is not a total failure. I don’t want to be so antagonistic with her governance. Somehow, beyond all the commotion and controversies, I say that she is a hardworking president. This is just my opinion and I’m sure that a lot of people would protest on what I say.

I am not saying this because I wanted to make choose a stand between the government and the struggling masses. All I am saying is I would like to commend the government under Arroyo’s presidency for something worth commending.

Last July 28th, the president signed an executive order that imposed an across-the-board 50% price reduction on 5 essential medicines. The price reduction took effect last August 15. The issuance of the said executive order is the exercise of the mandate under the “cheaper medicines law”. The so-called law gives power to the president to impose the maximum retail price on selected essential medicines as per recommendation by the health secretary. As reported, pharmaceutical companies consented to reduce the prices of 16 other essential medicines which were found by DOH to be highly priced and volunteered to reduce 22 other medicines as well.

Since a free healthcare is far-fetched, I have to say that I find this move favorable. This addresses the immediate need of the ailing Filipinos. However, I have to point out as well that this is, as I have already said addresses the immediate need, therefore it is just a short-term relief. As what I have read, this program entails the importation of medicines from India. Looking at the bigger picture, we see the Philippines to be more and more dependent from other countries. The program doesn’t promote our own drug industry. Read the Health Alliance for Democracy for more information http://www.bulatlat.com/news/2-23/2-23-rey.html

But then again, I think that this initiative is good enough.