Cheap drugs program launched

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DoH) has identified several drugs that it will sell at three quarters of their original price in state-run hospitals and among local government units. Under the department’s P100 project, the 23 medicines will be sold in one pack for P100 or less. The commonly used drugs are for asthma, diabetes, hypertension and infection, among others. Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said in a statement that the P100 project supports the Cheaper Medicines Act. "This P100 project will redound to better health for all Filipinos and promote rational drug use for health care providers and consumers," said Mr. Duque III. Some of the drugs are imported by the Philippine International Trading Corp. and some have been manufactured by local generic drugs makers. The drugs will range from P25 to P100 as against their original prices of P160 to P1,900. Signed into law in July, Republic Act 9502 or the Universally Accessible Quality and Cheaper Medicines Act allows the government to control drug prices either through price ceilings or by allowing the importation of patented medicines. The law’s implementing rules and regulations stated that price controls will be imposed only when there is no effective competition.— BusinessWorld