DOH bares new batch of discounted essential medicines
By Francis M. Bilowan
MANILA, Feb. 27 (PNA) –-
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday announced that it has approved
the second batch of essential medicines that will be sold half the
original prices under the government’s Maximum Drug Retail Price (MDARP)
program.
Health
Secretary Esperanza Cabral said at least 97 medicines will have the
price cut and will be sold on the discounted prices starting March 31.
Cabral said the new list included medicines for hypertension
and chronic diseases, bladder and prostate disorders, hepatitis,
asthma, depression and psychotic and mental disorders, as well as some
medical equipment and fluids for dialysis.
“The discounted prices will take effect on March 31 to give
drugstore owners the chance to sell their stocks which they purchased on
its original price,” she said.
The DOH chief said they will soon post the list of
half-priced medicines in all drug stores nationwide.
The DOH is expecting to save P2-billion from the price
reductions of the 97 medicines.
Cabral said drug manufacturers agreed to lower the prices to
50 percent but some also agreed to give up to 70 percent discount on
some medicines.
For senior citizens, she said they will buy the drugs at
discounted price and also get additional 20 percent discount based on
the new Expanded Senior Citizens Law.
Cabral also warned drugstore owners who will not follow the
price mediation after March 31 that heavy fines and penalties await them
for violating the Cheaper Medicines Law.
This early, she also urged the public to report violators as
hotlines will be available after they posters and other information
materials are placed.
The DOH last year padlocked several drug stores after they
were found violating the government’s cheaper drugs program. It also
served cease and desist orders (CDO) to prevent them from selling drug
products at a price higher than the imposed MDRP.
Republic Act 9502, or the Cheaper Medicines Law, took effect
on August 15, 2009 and ordered all drugstores and hospital pharmacies
to enforce discounted prices.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo later signed Executive
Order (EO) 821 which imposed a 50-percent reduction on the cost of
essential medicines in compliance with the new law.
The first batch included five medicines for compulsory
compliance and 16 other essential medicines for voluntary compliance.
The medicines are used to treat hypertension, diabetes, cancer,
bacterial infections, and amoebiasis. (PNA)
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