DAVAO City Councilor Peter Laviña expressed support to Senator Mar Roxas's call for local government units (LGUs) to take the lead in hastening the implementation of the Quality and Affordable Medicines Law.

"The people should have direct access to quality and affordable medicines, thus there is a need for LGUs to take immediate action," Laviña said.

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According to Laviña, Roxas has allegedly expressed frustration of the slow pace the National Government has in implementing the law.

"The National Government is dragging its feet. Thus, Roxas is urging LGUs to take the lead in making sure that their constituents could immediately avail of quality and affordable medicines," he said.

Laviña said Roxas is proposing that LGUs directly acquire affordable medicines from abroad and putting up more Botika ng Bayan outlets in their jurisdictions.

Laviña is the proponent of Botika ng Barangay as micro-enterprises in the First District in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).

He said Roxas is concerned especially for the poor and the elderly whose maintenance drugs are very expensive.

There is also a pending proposal in the City Council for the creation of city-owned pharmacies in each congressional district to make it easier for the mayor's "Lingap" program to distribute medicines to indigents. (GLP)