MEMBERS of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) on Friday, October 25, reiterated their opposition to the plan of the Department of Health (DOH) to control prices of medicines.
The group said the government should instead partner with the pharmaceutical industry in providing affordable medicines.
"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,” PHAP executive director Teodoro Padilla said in a statement.
"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 added.
To prove their sincerity, Padilla said at least 18 multinational pharmaceutical companies operating locally are offering to reduce the prices of their products substantially. He did not identify the companies or the products that would be covered by the reduction.
"For example, patients with breast cancers may obtain up to 54 percent discount on a cancer drug, or free medicines on certain treatment cycles," he related.
Aside from lowering medicine prices, Padilla said PHAP is looking at ways to help patients through their whole medical journey 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 (MDRP) pursuant to the Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008 (Republic Act 9502).
At least 120 drugs used to treat leading diseases and catastrophic conditions in the Philippines are set to see their market prices drop by as much as 56 percent. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)