MANILA -- Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral reminded the public that the voluntary 50 percent price reduction on 97 drugs and medical devices starts on Wednesday.

At the sidelines of a forum on HIV/AIDS in Quezon City, Cabral said the drugs are anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-hypertensive, for bladder and prostate disorders, anti-depressant, anti-psychotic, anti-cancer, anti-coagulant and antibiotic, among others.

The price cuts are in response to the Government-Mediated Access Price (GMAP) or the voluntary price reduction in Republic Act 9505 or the Universally Accessible, Cheaper or Quality Medicine Act.

Cabral also warned drug outlets that failure to dispose of their products could face a fine of P5,000 to P5 million under the law. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)