MANILA -- Some individuals and groups led by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) are planning to file a class suit against leading drugstores, including Mercury Drug and Southstar, for failing to implement the 20 percent discount for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
NCDA spokesperson Abner Manlapaz said their group is already collating violations of the drugstores.
“Kami po ay nakahanda kahit magrally kami sa kalsada para lang ibigay ang karapatan ng may mga kapansanan. Give what is due to us kasi kami po ang pinakamarginalized,” said Carmen Zabagor, a member of NCDA.
As of today, only Watsons drugstores have implemented the Republic Act 9442 otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for disabled persons".
The law states that disabled persons shall be given at least 20 percent discount for the purchase of medicines in all drugstores, on medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, and on professional fees of attending doctors in all private hospitals and medical facilities.
The Department of Health (DOH) has already issued the implementing orders last May 2009 while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has filed a show cause order versus Mercury Drug in response to a complaint referred to them but up to now no update is received on the case. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)