Pharmaceutical drugs reiterates opposition to DOH price control

October 25, 2019

Members of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) Friday reiterated its opposition to a drug price control of the Department of Health (DOH). 

PHAP said it would be better for the public for the government and the pharmaceutical industry to become partners in providing affordable medicines. 

In a statement, PHAP Executive Director Teodoro Padilla said: "We, in the private sector, are reaching out as a government partner so we may find the best solution to the current healthcare gaps, and for patients and their families to fully benefit.”  

"That is the real solution, not price control, which may be initially popular but ineffective and actually counter-productive as some countries have found out," he said. 

Padilla said at least 18 multinational pharmaceutical companies operating locally are offering to reduce their medicine prices substantially. 

"For example, patients with breast cancer may obtain up to 54 percent discount on a cancer drug, or free medicines on certain treatment cycles," he related. 

Padfilla said PHAP is looking at ways to help patients from prevention to treatment to cure. 

"PHAP members are offering Medicine Assistance Programs, which offers a holistic and comprehensive assistance to patients so that they can start and adhere to the entire treatment from diagnosis, to treatment, and to monitoring," said Padilla. 

He said they conveyed the offer to Health Secretary Francisco Duque and patient organizations in a meeting earlier in the week. 

“The private sector can continue with our voluntary price reduction and a total approach to health care that goes beyond lower prices,” said Padilla. 

Last month, the DOH bared its plan to submit to President Duterte an updated list of medicines for the imposition of the maximum drug retail prices, pursuant to the Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008 (Republic Act 9502).

At least 120 medicines used in leading diseases and catastrophic conditions in the Philippines are set to see their market prices drop by as much as 56 percent. DMS