THE Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas has lauded Executive Order (EO) 104 on the Maximum Drug Retail Price (MDRP) which cut the retail prices of some 87 high cost medicines by up to 58 percent.
“This will be a great help to our fellow kababayans to live comfortable lives and more accessibility of certain drugs and medicines,” said assistant regional director Exuperia Sabalberino on the recently signed EO of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a statement, the health official added that they will be working with Food and Drugs Agency (FDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other agencies in the implementation of EO 104.
A total of 122 medicines were submitted and to be included in the expanded scope of MDRP.
The proposed medicines address the leading diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, chronic lung diseases, and major cancers.
The list also includes high-cost treatments for chronic renal disease, psoriasis, prematurity, and rheumatoid arthritis requested by patient and consumer organizations as well as several medical societies.
Meanwhile, Sabalberino said that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III “will immediately issue an Administrative Order to ensure the effective implementation of the EO on MDRP and disseminate the implementing guidelines to stakeholders.”
He, however, warned that violations of the price caps “will be dealt with in accordance with the Cheaper Medicines Act and other relevant laws together with the DTI and the FDA.”
DOH, together with DTI and stakeholders, was also tasked to review the price reduction of the remaining 35 drugs to finalize the list covered by the EO.
“The ceiling prices for the 87 medicines (with 133 formulations) at the point of wholesale and retail shall already be imposed in both public and private drug retail outlets including chain and independent drugstores, hospital pharmacies, health maintenance organizations and other outlets within 90 days,” DOH in the region said.
The health department added that the MDRP “is still subject to special discounts to senior citizens and persons with disability.”