Showing posts with label cheaper medicines bill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheaper medicines bill. Show all posts

Roxas to GMA: Don't politicize cheaper meds issue

President Arroyo’s tirades in her State of the Nation Address prove she used the Cheaper Medicines Law for politics and not to benefit the people, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said.

"Bakit hindi na lang niya pinirmahan ang executive order na nagka-kalahati ng presyo ng mgamahalagang gamot at inantay pa niya ang kanyang SONA bago ianunsiyo na pipirmahan na niya (Why didn’t she just sign the executive order that cuts by half the price of essential medicines and she waited to announce this in her SONA?)," Roxas asked during an interview on radio stations.

"Halatang pulitika lang ang dahilan (It’s obvious that politics is the reason)," he said.
Roxas said while he is heartened by the President’s tirades against him as it made his opposition to her government’s bad policies and practices stand out, his only real concern is to see that cheap medicines reach the market.
"Ang gusto ko lang ay talagang bumaba na ang presyo ng mga gamot para ma-benepisyo na ang ating mga kababayan (What I really want is for cheap medicines to benefit our people)," he said.
At the same time, Roxas said President Arroyo has no one to blame if she considers the Cheaper Medicines Law the "weaker" version of what it should be.
"Hindi pala niya gusto iyong bersyon nung batas (If that was not the version that she wanted), why did she not veto it?," asked Roxas, who is the primary author of the Universally Accessible, Quality and Cheaper Medicines law.

"Para sa isang Pangulo na napaka-poderoso, napaka-makapangyarihan, na hindi masabi na hindi ito ang gusto ko, na ito pala ang gusto, aba, napakahina naman niya (For a president who is very powerful, for her not to be able to say that this was not what she wanted and that she wanted another thing instead, for her not to be able to say this, well, it just shows that she’s a weak president)," he added.
He insisted the proposal of President Arroyo’s ally Rep. Ferjenel Biron to create a price regulatory board will corrupt the process of lowering medicine prices as has happened always under the Arroyo administration.

Friday, July 31, 2009 | posted in , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

"Ramdam" - Mar Roxas' sequel of the Padyak TVC

Hello everyone! Check out Senator Mar Roxas latest TVC entitled "Ramdam", a sequel of the "Padyakitos" TVC, and please do share your comments on this one. Thanks!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to GMA: Grab the credit as long as you sign EO on MRP

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today said President Arroyo can grab all the credit for the Cheaper Medicines Law as long as she signs the executive order imposing the maximum retail price on the 22 most essential medicines for Filipinos.
"Gawin na lang nating GMA (Gamot na Mura’t Abot-kaya) ang acronym nitong MRP (Maximum Retail Price) na ito para pirmahan na siya ni Pangulong Arroyo (Let’s just change the MRP to GMA to facilitate its immediate signing by President Arroyo)," said Roxas, who is primary author of the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law.
He said getting the price of the 22 most essential medicines cut down by 50 percent once they are included in the MRP list is more important than who gets the credit for putting the program into law.
"Malaking isyu ito para kay GMA at sa kanyang mga alipores kaya ayan, gawin na lang nating G.M.A. para bumaba na ang presyo ng mga gamot (GMA and her men are making an issue out of this acronym so let us give what they want so prices of medicines would now go down)," he added.

"Madam President, huwag ka ng magselos sa akin dito sa Cheaper Medicines na ito, masyado ka namang insecure. Ayan at sa iyo na ang credit. Pirmahan mo na ang executive order (Mrs. President, stop being jealous of me because of this Cheaper Medicines law, you are too insecured. The credit is now yours. Sign the EO)," he also said.
The DOH has transmitted the draft EO on the MRP to the Office of the President as early as June 16. Almost a month today, the EO has yet to be signed by Mrs. Arroyo.
"Isang bolpen lang naman ang katapat niyan. Kung may oras kang makipag-miting sa mga pharmaceutical companies at bumiyahe sa ibang bansa, magbigay ka naman ng kahit isang minuto lang pirmahan itong EO na ito (You only need one ballpen to do this. If you have the time to meet with pharmaceutical companies and travel abroad, then spend even one minute to sign the EO)," he said.

"Matagal na itong hinihintay ng ating mga kababayan. Unahin mo naman ang kanilang kapakanan (Our countrymen have long been waiting for this. Prioritize their needs, please)," he added.
The proposed EO would allow the halving of the prices of essential medicines, like the anti-hypertensive drug Norvasc (to P22.50 from P44.50); anti-diabetic Diamicron (to P7.35 from P14.75); antibiotic Zithromax (to P149.37 from P298.75); and antibiotic Augmentin suspension 60 ml (to P179.50 from P359).

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 | posted in , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to GMA: Resist Barack Obama pressure on cheap meds

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today asked President Arroyo to resist pressure when he meets with US President Barack Obama who will surely defend the US pharmaceutical companies’ opposition to the immediate implementation of the Cheaper Medicines law.
"Pangulong Arroyo, okay lang na makipagpulong ka kay President Obama pero huwag kang magpapa-braso na hindi natin pabababain ang presyo ng gamot dito sa ating bansa (It’s okay if you meet with President Obama but don’t be influenced into not bringing down the prices of medicines in our country)," he said.

"Matagal ng naghihintay ang ating mga kababayan na tuparin mo ang iyong pangako. Ipatupad mo na ang batas para sa murang gamot. Ang daming oras na ang nasasayang (Our people have long been waiting for you to make true your promise. Implement the law on cheaper medicines. We are wasting a lot of time with your administration’s dilly-dallying)," he added.

The Visayan senator noted pharmaceutical lobbying in the United States is one of the strongest and most influential in the world.
"Ang mga pharmaceutical companies, malaking industriya iyan sa Amerika. Yung pharmaceutical lobby isa sa pinakamalaki, pinaka-malakas, pinakamatindi…’yung healthcare reborn, isa sa pinakamalaking isyu sa Amerika. Kasi napakatindi ng lobby ng pharmaceutical industry (The pharmaceutical industry in America is big. The pharmaceutical lobby there is very strong. The healthcare reborn is a big issue because of the lobbying of the pharmaceutical industry)," he said.
Roxas reiterated his call for President Arroyo to sign the month-old draft executive order imposing the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on 22 most essential medicines for Filipinos.

He said even the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that 122 governments all over the world impose price regulations on medicines sold in their respective countries.
"Bakit kailangang dito sa atin ay pahirapan ang pagpapatupad nitong MRP? Ginang Arroyo, isipin mo naman ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan (Why are we having a difficult time with the implementation of this MRP? Mrs. President, be more considerate of your people)," he also said.

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Roxas asks GMA to attend oversight panel probe

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today announced that he invited President Arroyo to attend and explain before the Quality Affordable Medicines Oversight Committee her refusal to implement a vital provision of the law that reduces by half prices of 22 essential medicines.

The President will also be asked to shed light into reports that pharmaceutical companies have brought their lobbying against the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines law on the doorsteps of Malacañang; particularly the provision on Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of medicines.
"Ginang Pangulo, gawin niyo po ang inyong trabaho. Pirmahan niyo na po itong executive order" that would impose the MRP on, and slash by half the prices of, the country’s top 22 prescribed but costly medicines, he said.

"Sa kadahilanan nga na nagkaroon ng miting dun sa Malakanyang at hindi natin alam kung ano ang napag-usapan—baka nagkaroon ng aregluhan, baka nagkaroon ng sabwatan kung ano na ang mangyayari dito sa batas—nagtakda tayo ng oversight committee hearing dito po sa pagpapatupad nitong batas," he also said.
The oversight committee had transmitted a notice of invitation to President Arroyo requesting her or her representative to attend to shed light on her alleged meeting with representatives of multinational drug companies held last July 8 in Malacañang.
He said: "Para malaman po natin ang katotohanan: paano nangyari itong miting na nito? Sino ang humingi nitong miting na ito? Kelan hiningi itong miting na ito at kelan pinag-bigyan, bakit nagkaroon agad ng schedule itong miting na ito? Makikita natin sa mga record. Malalaman natin ngayon kung ang gobyerno ba ay tumatayo para sa interest natin o tumatayo para sa interest nitong malalaking kumpanya na ito."
The Visayan senator had earlier lambasted what seems to be a conspiracy between the government and giant drug manufacturing firms to circumvent the implementation of the year-old law, which would bring relief to the public through easy access to cheaper but quality medicines.

Citing highly reliable sources, Roxas had exposed the "confidential meeting" and urged the Chief Executive to be wary of presidential advisers whose personal conflicts of interest might compromise her.
"Nanawagan ako sa Pangulo: Huwag po kayong makinig diyan. Nagla-lobby lang po ang mga iyan. Huwag po kayong makinig sa mga adviser ninyo, nagla-lobby lang po iyan. Panigan po ninyo, tayuan po ninyo, tindigan po ninyo, ang interest ng ating mga kababayan," he appealed to President Arroyo.

He vowed: "Hindi ko bibitiwan itong isyu na ito. Nasa batas na ito. Ang tagal na nating ipinaglaban ito. Ngayong nasa batas na ito, wala ng dahilan kung bakit hindi na mangyari ito kung hindi na lang iyong kagustuhan ng pangulo."

Friday, July 10, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 1 comments [ More ]

Roxas exposes conspiracy between GMA and multinational pharma

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today exposed a devious conspiracy between President Arroyo and multinational drug firms to circumvent the cheaper medicines law, in effect keeping critical drugs out of reach of the poor.
"I am informed by very reliable sources that recently, President Arroyo held a closed door meeting with representatives of multinational drug firms," he said.

"Sa meeting nila, napagkasunduan na ipagpaliban muna ang EO na magpapataw ng Maximum Retail Price (MRP) sa mga gamot. Ang kapalit, gagawa ng paraan ang big pharma companies na ibaba ang presyo ng gamot bago sumapit ang SONA ni GMA sa July 28," Roxas revealed.
The Executive Order setting the MRP for 22 essential medicines has been submitted by the Department of Health (DOH) to Mrs. Arroyo as early as June 16. The MRP list seeks to slash by half the prices of these drugs within reach of poor patients who are in need of life maintenance or at the brink of dying.

These drugs include the anti-hypertensive drug Norvasc (to P22.50 from P44.50); anti-diabetic Diamicron (to P7.35 from P14.75); antibiotic Zithromax (to P149.37 from P298.75); and antibiotic Augmentin suspension 60 ml (to P179.50 from P359).
"Sa meeting na iyon, nandoon daw ang Secretary of Health. Tinatanong kita, Secretary Duque, bakit hindi ka umalma sa kuntsabahang nasaksihan mo sa pagpupulong na iyon?" he said.

"I believe that this conspiracy was engineered with the facilitation of an influential Presidential Adviser who is also connected with one of the multinational pharmaceutical giants," he added.

"It is the poor patients that the President should call to Malacañang for a meeting so she can see for herself how hard it is to cling to dear life without affordable quality medication," he said.
Roxas demanded "for the nth time" that the President sign the EO on the MRP "and stop consultations with the pharmaceutical firms as if they were the victims in this issue."

He also demanded that Tamiflu—now priced as high as P150 per tablet—should also be included in the MRP.
"Stop playing with the lives of the people and just implement the law, Mrs. President," he said.

Thursday, July 9, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , | 1 comments [ More ]

Roxas to GMA: Get back to work, slash drug prices

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today asked President Arroyo to get back to work now that she’s back in the country and sign an important executive order that imposes maximum retail price on the most vital drugs in the country.

In fact, Roxas said, Mrs. Arroyo should shake off the travel bug and even include the anti-flu drug Tamiflu as the 23rd medicine in the MRP list submitted to her by the Department of Health to make it more accessible to flu-scared consumers nationwide.
"Get back to work. Sign the executive order for the MRP so Filipinos can finally buy affordable and quality medicines in drugstores," Roxas said as GMA wound up a 13-day trip to Japan, the United States, Colombia, Brazil and Hong Kong at the height of the A(H1N1) flu scare in the country.

"Matagal ng inaantay ng taumbayan ang abot-kaya at de-kalidad na gamot. Isang taon simula nang maging batas ito, wala pa ring mabiling murang gamot ang taumbayan sa mga botika," lamented the primary author of the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law.
The DOH has submitted the draft EO on the MRP to the Office of the President last June 16. The President’s approval is necessary before the department could start imposing price ceilings on the top 22 prescribed medicines in the country, which includes, among others, hypertension, diabetes and anti-bacterial drugs.

Roxas renewed his call to include Tamiflu (Generic: Oseltamivir) and other anti-viral drugs in the MRP, stressing the need to put price ceilings on the drugs to ensure their affordability.

He noted the spiraling costs of medicines that treat symptoms of the A(H1N1) flu. Tamiflu had previously cost only P40/capsule before the flu virus began spreading in the country. It is now sold at an average of P150 to P155 apiece.
"Kailangang siguruhin nating abot-kaya ang halaga ng mga gamot laban sa A(H1N1)" the Visayan senator said.

"Responsibilidad ng pamahalaan na panatilihing malusog ang taumbayan. Bakit kailangang unahin ang biyahe bago bigyan ang taumbayan ng murang gamot?" he added.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to DOH: Do your job, enforce cheap meds law

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas yesterday said local pharmaceutical companies could expect a more robust industry if government properly implements the one year-old Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines law.

Roxas, primary author of the law, noted the 12% reported growth of the local pharmaceutical industry just a year after medicine patent rules were relaxed.
"Magandang balita ito. Ngunit higit sanang masigla ang industriya kung maging mas masigasig pa ang pagpapatupad sa batas na ito," he said.

He added: "Ngayong nagsisimula nang talagang kumikilos ang DOH para ipatupad ang batas para sa murang gamot, maaasahan nating mas lalong mararamdaman ang magagandang epekto para sa sambayanan."
The landmark law mandates healthier competition in the pharmaceutical industry by relaxing patent rules that have hindered local pharmaceutical firms from producing generic medicines. However, the price reductions that resulted from this have not yet been enough, he said.

He reiterated his appeal to President Arroyo not to heed active lobbying by international drug companies and to instead immediately sign the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for the top 22 prescribed medicines in the country, which the DOH endorsed to the Office of the President last June 16.
"Gloria, pirmahan mo na agad itong MRP. Patunayan mo ang pangako mong pangangalagaan mo ang kalusugan ng ating mamamayan. Pirma mo lang ang kailangan para mangalahati ang presyo ng gamot," he stressed.

"Huwag mo ng pansinin ang mga dambuhalang kumpanya na patuloy na hinaharang ang pagpapatupad ng batas. Patunayan mo ang sinseridad mo sa taumbayan," he added.
Under the DOH-proposed MRP, prices of 22 most prescribed medicines in the country would be slashed by 50%. The initial list includes anti-hypertensive, anti-cholesterol, anti-diabetic, antibiotics and anti-neoplastic drugs.

Some of these branded drugs are the anti-hypertensive drug Norvasc, the price of which would drop to P22.50 from the present P44.50; anti-diabetic Diamicron, P7.35 from P14.75; antibiotic Flagyl, P66 from P132; antibiotic Zithromax, P149.37 from P298.75; antibiotic Tazocin, P1061.86 from P2,123.75; antibiotic Augmention suspension 60 ml, P179.50 from P359; Augmentin suspension 70 ml, P439.50 from P879; and anti-neoplastic Carboplatin 450 mg vial, P2117.61 from P4857.15.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

EXCLUSIVE: Cebu Bloggers with Mar Roxas Videos

Good day everyone! A few days ago, I blogged about the Cebu Bloggers Society (CBS) meet-up with Senator Mar Roxas last June 11, 2009 that was held at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, IT Park. Let me share to you these EXCLUSIVE videos taken by Mikyu Maglasang, fellow member of CBS member, during that event. Check out the videos below:

1. Why Padyak?


2. Mar and Korina in Wowowee


3. Hayden Kho - Katrina Halili scandal


4. Follow-up question on Hayden - Katrina scandal


5. Being No. 1 in Cebu


6. No. 1 problem of the Philippines


7. Wedding preparations


8. Federalism


9. Philippines as IT hub by 2016


10. Transfer of manufacturing firms to China and other countries


11. Platform of governance


12. Education reform

Saturday, June 20, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Cebu Bloggers Society with Mar Roxas

UPDATE: Click here to check out the EXCLUSIVE Videos of the Cebu Bloggers Society Meet-up with Senator Mar Roxas!

Hello everyone! This one's an über-late post, but I really want to share to you the buzz about our bloggers meet-up with Senator Mar Roxas in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, IT Park last June 11. I was already suggesting this one since December 2008 to his staff, and finally, this day came. Thanks to Bon Moya!

Photo courtesy of Michael Sinjin Pineda

Roxas was in Cebu to attend a business forum organized by the Makati Business Club and the Cebu Business Club in the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Also there was fellow senator and 2010 presidentiable Chiz Escudero. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro was also invited but turned down the invitation in the last minute because of a cabinet meeting. Bad move Gibo! You just missed a good opportunity!

Roxas was late but it was acceptable because Marco Polo Plaza was quite far from IT Park. When he arrived in our venue, SunStar Cebu was also there to make an article about the Cebu Bloggers Society (CBS) for their 2010 Yearbook. We had our group photo taken for the said yearbook and Roxas gamely joined us by squatting on the floor.

I was tasked by Bon to be the moderator. So, after ordered some tea from the counter, he got seated in front of me and I started the ball rolling.
Photo courtesy of Doyzkie Buenaviaje

I grabbed the opportunity to ask him on why the use of "padyak"? He told us that it symbolizes the "situation of Filipinos" nowadays. There was also a need to act on this problem so that we can move forward. He stressed on the importance of education in doing so.

Another question came from Jerry Gervacio, and he asked about Roxas' thoughts about the improvement of his ratings in the latest Pulse Asia survey because of the Wowowee event, where Roxas and ABS-CBN broadcaster Korina Sanchez announced their engagement. Roxas admitted that yes "because of Wowowee, they have seen my heart" and "it helped" in his survey rating but emphasized that it was a "combination of things". "They like what they saw," said Roxas. He also attributed it to his help with the Legacy scam victims, for cheaper medicines, and etc.

The CBS President Mark Monta asked Roxas on whether the Senate should investigate the Hayden-Katrina scandal. Well, Roxas believes that "guilty feet have got no rhythm", quoting a line of the song Careless Whisperer. He "feels bad for Katrina and the women" involved in this scandal. He's not a member of the Committee investigating it, but he lauded Senator Jamby Madrigal's performance on the committee hearing.

Guada Esmeña was asking about the importance of Cebu in the upcoming 2010 elections knowing that it's an administration bailiwick. It was also known that Roxas was the top choice in Cebu and in Visayas. Roxas told Guada that probably because Cebu saw his achievements. As Trade and Industry Secretary before being elected as Senator in 2004, he also served as Chairman of the Board of Investments and Philippine Economic Zone Authority. He helped Tsuneishi Heavy Industries in Balamban, Cebu which gave a lot of job opportunities in the province. As "Father of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry", he was also responsible in its boom in the Philippines. He also said that he was not fooling people or extorted them that sets him apart from other politicians.

Jose Farrugia asked about any updates on Roxas and Sanchez' wedding preparations. Here's the Youtube video that I uploaded:



Then, came the gate crasher, who was not a CBS member but his question was quite good. Many have been asking me about this, but I never knew what Roxas' position on Federalism. Here's the video that I got:



Fellow blogger member Bryan Karl Yuson asked Roxas about what's the big problem that we've got on why we're not moving forward. Roxas said that it was "not just one" but if he was to choose one, it is "graft and corruption" which everyone of us agreed as the part of the problem. He emphasized that if it was to be minimized or even eliminated, then everything would follow.


Bert Padilla asked about his contribution to the BPO industry. Roxas said the it has "dominated today" and more people are on it. He also stressed that Philippines can never compete with China when it comes to cheap labor. He emphasized that while China has cheap products, the Philippines has products with value-added service like the clothes with "burda."

Atty. Ethelbert Ouano asked for Roxas' top 3 political agenda if ever he's elected as President in 2010. Roxas said that it's not just 3, "but it's 4."
  1. Feed Ourselves
    2.  - It is important so that we can do the priorities that have been set out.
  2. Education
    3.  - After being fed in our stomach, it's time to feed our mind. He stressed that it was the "biggest equalizer" in life because it narrows the gap between the rich and the poor.
  3. Fairness and Justice
    4.  - When you have already a satiated people in stomach and in mind, it's time to implement fairness among them.
  4. Economy
    5.  - After doing the previous things, it's time to spruce up the economy now that the foundations are already laid down (feeding ourselves, education, fairness & justice).
Lastly, Jobette Escobanas asked about Roxas' position on having an additional year in elementary and the increase on teacher's salary increase. On the first question, he is in favor of having a Grade 7 citing that other countries have an edge on us because they follow the 12 pre-college years which makes them more competitive. He also reiterated his call on not doing the things by "tingi-tingi" but by "bulto", meaning instead of "pleasing everyone" by giving a few of this and that, it's better to focus on one thing on that budget and another thing on the next budget. On that way, we can be able to solve at least one part of the problem rather that having partly solve one problem and having it partly fix in the next budget thus keeping us to move forward.

On the next question, he supports a P 9,000 increase on the public school teacher's salary but due to the current situation, he said that a P 6,000 increase might be better to boost the morale of our public school teachers.

Anyways, thanks a lot for everyone in CBS for attending this event that I organized and also to Team Roxas, especially Communications Director Bobby Capco and New Media Head Bon Moya for making this possible. P.S., I got my copy of the Philippine Tattler, with Roxas on the cover page, and his autograph. :)


Blog Posts:
  1. Bloggers meet Senator Mar Roxas - Jose Farrugia
  2. CBS in CBTL with Sen. Mar Roxas - Xerxes Bernadez
  3. CBS meets Senator Mar Roxas - Vernon Go
  4. CBS with Sen. Mar Roxas - Zyza Esmeña
  5. Mar Roxas with Cebu Bloggers - Guada Esmeña
  6. An hour with Senator Mar Roxas - Willand Cuna
  7. Mar Roxas... A Goal Setter Beyond Economic Quandary - Bert Padilla
  8. CBS meets Senator Mar Roxas - Galleca Baylon
  9. Cebu Bloggers and Sen. Mar Roxas II - Mark Abitona
  10. An interview with Mar Roxas - Doyzkie Buenaviaje
  11. Mr. Padyak at Cofee Bean Tea Leaf, I.T Park - Jorich Ponio
  12. Mar Roxas meets the Cebu Bloggers - Jorich Ponio
  13. CBS asks, Mr. Padyak answers - Mark Monta
  14. Mr. Padyak, ready for Pamanhikan - Mark Monta
  15. Blogger Meeting with Mar Roxas- Jobette Escobanas
  16. Mar Roxas answers to DepEd Teachers Questions - Jobette Escobanas
  17. Senator Mar Roxas Meets Cebu Bloggers - Clarence Mongado
  18. CBS meets Mar Roxas: Photoblogger's Politics - Evanjohnn Mendoza
  19. Sen. Mar Roxas shared his time with Cebu Bloggers' Society - Kriztian Etulle
  20. Cebu Bloggers sits with Senator Mar Roxas - Miong Tampus
  21. Senator Mar looks better in person - Agnes Jimenez
Pictures:
  1. Cebu Bloggers Society Meet-up with Senator Mar Roxas - Kevin Ray Chua
  2. CBS meets Sen. Mar Roxas! :) - Mikyu Maglasang
  3. An Interview with Mar - Doyzkie Buenaviaje
  4. Meet Up with Senator Mar Roxas - Jose Faruggia
  5. CBS meets MAR - Sinjin Pineda

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas demands resignation of DOH officials

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas yesterday demanded the resignation of top health officials for failing to make cheap quality medicines available to Filipinos one year after the signing of a new law that bucked multinational companies’ decades of control of the local market.
"Ayokong magsalita ng patapos pero mukhang ang pinakamalaking hadlang o balakid para maibaba ang presyo ng gamot dito sa ating bansa ay ang DOH mismo (I don’t want to give any last word but it seems it is the DOH which is the main problem in enforcing this law)," he added.

"Dapat ang burden ngayon ay nasa DOH para patunayan nila na hindi sila kasabwat ng pharmaceutical companies na ito (The burden is now with the DOH to prove they are not in collusion with the pharmaceutical companies," he said after Tuesday’s Quality Affordable Medicines oversight committee hearing.
Roxas, seconded by Rep. Teodoro Locsin and Rep. Antonio Alvarez, summoned Health Secretary Francisco Duque to the next hearing on Monday (June 8) to personally respond to the oversight panel’s queries and to "defend his boys’ failure to implement the law."

During the hearing, the Visayan senator called for the resignation of Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla after the latter failed to present anew the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) list for essential drugs.

He noted that almost one year after the law was enacted in June 6 last year, "iyong parallel importation, walang pera o kakaunting pera lamang ang inilagay ng DOH. Dito sa pagtakda ng Maximum Retail Price, hanggang sa ngayon, wala pa rin silang ginagawa."

Roxas also found unacceptable Padilla’s declaration that there was no need for the MRP because there is allegedly an existing competition among pharmaceutical companies in the country and that prices of many medicines have supposedly gone down.
"Is he crazy? Does he not know how expensive medicines are in this country?" the Visayan senator fumed.
Roxas urged President Arroyo to order Duque to explain his office’s failure to implement the law, which he noted would have benefited the public if it was fully and correctly enforced.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas seeks VAT exemption for senior citizens

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas filed a bill last week seeking to exempt senior citizens from the value added tax for medicines they buy in addition to the 20% discounts that they already get.
"Mahalaga ang ating mga senior citizens sa pagsisigurong matibay ang pundasyon ng ating mga pamilya. Isang malaking ginhawa kung sa kanilang pamilya ang ma-exempt sila sa VAT para magkaroon sila ng murang gamot (Our senior citizens are important in maintaining the stability of the foundations of Filipino families. It will be a big relief of them if they are exempted from paying VAT on medicines)," said Roxas, primary author of the new Cheaper Medicines Law.
Roxas' Senate Bill No. 3061 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9257 or the Senior Citizens Act of 2003 by the exempting senior citizens from the 12% VAT on medicines.

He said he filed the bill in response to appeals from various senior citizens' groups he has met around the country to promote the Cheaper Medicines Law and encourage local government units to directly import cheaper but quality medicines using the law.
"It bears stressing that most of our senior citizens have no steady source of income after retirement, thus the 20% senior citizen's discount and exemption from the 12% EVAT would be of big help to them," he said.
He noted that while the 20% discount privilege accorded to senior citizens eased their financial burdens, the imposition of the 12% EVAT on the sale of goods and services diminished its effect.
"Kung gusto talaga nating maging mapagaan ang buhay ng ating mga senior citizens, sagarin na natin, tanggalin na natin ang EVAT sa gamot na binibili nila ngayon (If we really want to alleviate the plight of our senior citizens, then let's give them total relief, let's lift the EVAT on the medicines that they buy)," he added.
SB No. 3061 also allows drug stores that comply with the proposed VAT exemption to claim this as tax credit to be deducted from their tax liability for the same taxable year that the discount is granted.

The proposed bill also imposes a fine for persons who refuse to give senior citizens' VAT exemption to P500,000. Anyone who abuses the privileges and incentives also face a fine of not less than P100,000 to a maximum of P1 million and imprisonment of not less than one year.

Monday, February 16, 2009 | posted in , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Mar Roxas launches MurangGamot.Com

Just this week, Senator Mar Roxas launched a new website called "MurangGamot.Com" as part of his continuing advocacy for quality and cheaper medicines.


The site is still new. It informs the people about what Republic Act No. 9502 or the "Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008" is and its benefits, provides a price list of 12 common medicines in the Philippines and most of all, the list of all Botika ng Bayan branches in the country.

You can also contact them to share your thoughts about Senator Roxas' new website for cheaper medicines or ask questions.

Don't hesitate to call or text Senator Roxas' cheaper medicines hotline at 0917-MAROXAS (6276927) for more information. Let's nag the government to have more Botika ng Bayan and implement the said law. Visit www.muranggamot.com for more details.
"The government is slow in implementing the law. That's why we need to persist in pressuring the government to implement it now... The Arroyo government has been in power for eight years. In fact, the Estrada government has put in place a program for quality and affordable medicines. We should not prolong the people's pain any longer. The law must be implemented now" - Senator Mar Roxas

Saturday, February 14, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas: Cheap Meds law to bring down price

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today said the Department of Health (DOH) should make good its promise to implement the price regulation provisions of the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act by releasing its list of drugs and recommended maximum retail prices (MRPs) at the start of this month.
"Mahalaga na pababain na ang presyo ng gamot gamit ang bagong Cheap Medicines Law, at nangako ang DOH na ilalabas na nila ang listahan ng mga presyo. Pero nasaan na ito? (It is important to bring down prices using the new Cheap Medicines Law, and the DOH promised that they will release their list of drugs with MRP at the start of this month. Well, where's the list?)" the main author of the Cheaper Medicines Law said.

"Mabagal at malabnaw ang pagkilos ng gobyerno kaya kinukulit natin ito (The government is slow in implementing the law. That's why we need to persist in pressuring the government to implement it now)," he stressed.
Roxas said the DoH must be made to account for its failure to fully implement the law, which he noted took 10 years to shepherd through Congress and hurdled a strong lobby by powerful multinational pharmaceutical companies.

He pointed to Chapter 3 on "Drugs and Medicines Price Regulation" of Republic Act No. 9502, which empowers the President, upon recommendation of the DOH Secretary, to impose maximum retail prices for all vital medicines. The DOH is authorized to establish the price regulation system within 120 days after the law becomes effective, or since November 4 last year when it issued the implementing rules and regulation.
"Lahat ng kasangkapan, lahat ng kapangyarihan para pababain ang presyo ng gamot ay ibinigay na namin sa ehekutibo. Ano pa ang hinihintay nila? (All tools and powers needed to lower the prices of medicines have been vested with the executive. What are they waiting for?)," the Ilonggo senator said.

"Hindi na puwedeng patagalin pa ang paghihirap ng mamamayan. Ngayon na, ipatupad na ang batas (The Arroyo government has been in power for eight years. In fact, the Estrada government has put in place a program for quality and affordable medicines. We should not prolong the people's pain any longer. The law must be implemented now)."
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said he will ask the Quality Affordable Medicines Oversight Committee to convene and exercise its oversight powers if the Arroyo Administration continues to drag its feet on the issue.

Monday, February 2, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas: Barangay Health Corps to help deal with crisis

Stressing the need to bring quality health services to the barangay level, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas has filed a bill seeking the appointment of health workers in every barangay nationwide as frontline health workers, especially at this time that the global financial crisis has hit home.

Roxas has filed Senate Bill No. 3012, or the proposed Barangay Health Workers Act of 2009, seeking the appointment of at least five (5) barangay health workers in each of the country's 41,994 barangays.
"Sa panahong ito ng krisis, mahalagang unahin natin ang kalusugan ng bawat isa, at pwede nating gawin ito kung magtatalaga tayo ng mga health workers sa ating mga barangay (In this time of crisis, we must protect the health of our people first and foremost, and we can do that by appointing health workers in each barangay)," he said.
The delivery of basic services and facilities such as health and social welfare services were devolved to the local government units following the enactment of the 1991 Local Government Code.
"It is, however, ironic that while barangay health workers are the front-liners in providing health care services to the community, there is no existing mechanism to secure that all barangays are equipped with the services of their own barangay health worker. This bill seeks to remedy this situation," the author of the Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008 explained in filing the bill.
Under the proposed SB 3012, a barangay health worker shall refer to a person who has undergone training program under any accredited government or non-government organization primarily to render health care services.

Health workers eligible for the job shall be duly-accredited by the municipal or city health board in accordance with guidelines set by the Department of Health (DoH).

The bill also allows each of the country's barangay to hire at least 5 health workers, who shall be entitled to allowances and benefits similar to that received by other appointed barangay officials, as well as security of tenure. The barangay health providers can only be dismissed from work based on valid cause as provided under existing civil service rules and regulations.

It likewise mandates the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), to promulgate within 90 days from its enactment the rules and regulations necessary to implement its provisions.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas to Department of Budget and Management: Allow LGUs to use funds to import Cheap Meds

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said the Department of Budget and Management should allow local government units (LGUs) to use its funds to purchase quality and affordable medicines directly from the Philippine International Trading Corp.

Roxas—in partnership with City Government of Baguio, DSWD-Baguio and DOH-CAR— last Friday held a medical mission and forum on the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 at the Sunshine Park, which was attended by about 600 senior citizens.
"Mas mabilis ang pagdating ng murang gamot sa kamay ng taumbayan kung kalahok ang mga LGU sa programang ito (The LGUs' participation in the cheaper medicines program will hasten the access of the people to quality and affordable medicines), the primary author of the landmark law said.

"Kaya dapat nang payagan ng DBM ang mga LGU na bumili ng murang gamot sa PITC gamit ang nakalaang pondo nila. (DBM should allow LGUs to use its allocated funds for cheaper medicines through the PITC)," he said.
During the forum, Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Chairperson of the Baguio City Council Social Welfare and Development Committee, conveyed to Roxas that it would be faster for LGUs like Baguio City to purchase medicines for their senior citizens and other sectors in need if DBM exempts from the normal yet lengthy bidding process any direct purchase of medicines from the PITC.

To which, Roxas replied that direct purchases from PITC—which is mandated to import quality and affordable medicines from other countries—should be considered a government-to-government transaction which involves the protection and saving of human lives, thus, negotiated procurement may be allowed.
"Ang mahalaga ay madala natin sa taumbayan ang abot-kaya at de-kaledad na gamot. Magtulungan tayo para mapabilis ang aksyon ng gobyerno (It's important that we bring quality and affordable medicines to the people through the fastest possible process. Let's help each other so government action would be swifter)," he stressed.

Sunday, January 25, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , | 1 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas calls for Botika ng Bayan accessible to every barangay

For quality and affordable medicines to be truly accessible to the poor, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas called on the government and private sector to invest in establishing drugstore outlets accessible to all 45,000 barangays.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce stressed that prices of medicines in the Philippines remains among the highest in the region - including the 11 vital drugs that each Filipino should have access to.
“Kulang na kulang pa ang mga Botika ng Bayan. Kasabay ng pagpapababa sa presyo ng gamot, kailangan din nating siguruhing may mapagbibilhan ng mga gamot na ito (We have too few Botika ng Bayan outlets nationwide. Together with the fight to lower medicine prices, we should also ensure that these medicines are easily accessible to the public),” he said.

“Kailangang itulak pa ang pagpaparami ng mga Botika ng Bayan. Kulitin natin ang gobyerno na maglaan ng pondo rito. Manawagan din tayo sa pribadong sektor na magpundar sa layuning ito (We should push for more Botika ng Bayan outlets. Let’s continue to call on the government to allocate funds for this. Let’s also call on the private sector to invest in this cause),” he stressed.
Roxas, primary author of the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, said that cheaper versions of the 11 vital drugs–which are up to 90% cheaper than branded counterparts–should be promoted and made available to all parts of the country.

For instance, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) costs P27.30 per 50mg capsule, while it could be sourced at only P1.50 per capsule. Antiox (Mebendazole) costs P60 per 500mg tablet, while it could be sourced at only P4.50 per tablet.

The Ilonggo senator pointed out that at present, there are about 1,800 Botika ng Bayan outlets nationwide. However, he pointed out that the number of existing Botika ng Bayan outlets is only more than half of the government’s own target of 3,300 outlets in 2010, as indicated in the National Statistical Coordination Board’s Statistical Indicators on Philippine Development.
“Panawagan nating magkaroon ng 18,000 pang Botika ng Bayan para mailapit talaga sa taumbayan ang mabisa at abot-kayang gamot. Kung kaya nga nating bawat isa sa 45,000 barangay sa bansa, bakit hindi natin gawin? (We call for at least 18,000 more Botika ng Bayan outlets so that quality and affordable medicines are within reach by the people. If we can even put in place a drug store in each of the 45,000 barangays in the country, let’s DOH it),” he said.
Botika ng Bayan are privately-owned retail drug outlets where cheaper medicines purchased by the Philippine International Trading Corp. through parallel importation and other means are sold.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , | 3 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas to DOH: Set maximum retail price of medicines

The Department of Health (DOH) can moderate prices of medicines and make vital drugs more affordable to the people as laid down by the provisions the new Cheaper Medicines law, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said today.

Roxas pointed out the Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 gave the DoH the authority to establish maximum retail prices for important medicines, such as maintenance drugs, sold in pharmacies nationwide.
"Kailangang siguruhin ng DoH na maayos nitong maipatutupad ang batas. At dahil binigyan ito ng karapatang kontrolin ang presyo ng mga gamot na ibebenta sa mga botika, sana ay hindi ito magpadala sa mga lobbying o impluwensiya ng malalaking kumpanya ng gamot na tuloy-tuloy ang pagharang sa pagpapatupad ng batas (The DOH should make sure that it can properly implement the law. Since the law gave it the power to control prices of medicines, it should not be swayed by the lobbying of big drug companies who have always fought against the law)," he said.
He reminded the DoH that "the government is the representative of the people. The only people you must be fair to are the consumers of medicines" and not the big pharmaceutical farms who have been actively lobbying against the enactment and administration of the law.
"The big pharmaceutical companies can take care of themselves. They have their lawyers, accountants, lobbyists, so they can take care of themselves. Precisely the government is there, to balance out their interests, precisely in favor of the consumers," he said.
The Ilonggo senator said the DoH can set a maximum retail price for medicines prescribed in government hospitals and by public doctors.
"May kakayahan ang DoH na sabihin sa lahat ng government hospitals, you can only buy medicines that are within this price band. Tapos, dito sa Philhealth, mag-reimburse lang sila sa medicines that comply with this price band ng sa ganoon (The DoH can tell government hospitals to buy medicines only within this price band. It can also tell Philhealth to reimburse only medicines that comply with the set price band of the DoH), then the market power of the government can be used to moderate prices," he said.
He added medicines sold in Botika ng Bayan outlets nationwide should also be subject to the maximum retail price set by the health department.

The Ilonggo senator recalled that when during his stint as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry he opened the Botika ng Barangay outlets, the prices of vital medicines were really very cheap.

However, after his term ended, he lamented the then newly-opened Botika ng Bayan stores upped the prices, dismaying the public and prompting them to go back to buying their medicines from big pharmacies that sold expensive drugs.
"Kaya parang nawala yung direksyon ng Botika ng Bayan (That was why the Botika ng Bayan seemed to have failed). For the system and the government to continue to allow the charging of expensive medicine is in the nature of qualified theft. We are allowing the taking of this money from poor people's pockets for what they can't afford, when in fact an equivalent but cheaper medicine is already available," he said.

"Marami sa mga sinasabi ng gobyerno ay propaganda lang. Mayroon ngang Botika ng Bayan, wala namang gamot, walang supply. Mayroong sinasabing ganito, ganoon, wala namang implementasyon. Kailangan nating kulitin, kalampagin ang gobyerno, para maisakatuparan itong Quality Affordable Medicines Law (Many of what the government is saying are mere propaganda. There maybe Botika ng Bayan outlets but many of these do not have medicines, they do not have supplies. They say one this and that but they're really not administering the law. That's why we have to rattle the government and demand that it properly implements the Quality Affordable Medicines law)," he said.

Sunday, January 18, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Mar Roxas' "Murang Gamot" TV Ad

Senator Mar Roxas has released a new TV Ad about his authored Cheaper Medicines Law. He also urged the people to nag the government to have more Botika ng Bayan and implement the said law.

Below is the video of the TVC:



Wednesday, January 14, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 1 comments [ More ]

Roxas on Cheaper med law IRR: Now real work begins

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said yesterday that the real work begins to bring down medicine prices, after the signing last Tuesday of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9502, the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act.
“One important challenge before us is to constantly keep vested interests at bay. We succeeded this far in passing the law and laying the ground for initial implementation. Those who wish to stop us will continue to find ways to keep the unjust situation of high-priced medicines,” stressed Roxas, principal author of the law, as he commended the government officials and civil society groups who were involved in the crafting of the rules for the Cheaper Medicines Law and having it signed on time.
Roxas said that for the law to have real meaningful impact in its first implementation stages, the government should allocate enough funds for it, particularly for the parallel importation of affordable medicines. He said, as part of his proposal to realign P100 billion of the 2009 budget, that at least P10 billion should be allotted on top of the budgets of various agencies implementing the Cheaper Medicines Act.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce also said he would regularly convene the Quality Affordable Medicines Oversight Committee to check how the agencies are going about the implementation of the law.

In particular, the Ilonggo senator said the Bureau of Food and Drugs must “rise to the occasion” in ensuring the quality of medicines, after the scare of melamine in food products the past two months.
“Mas malaki na ang pera na hawak ng BFAD para sa pagsiguro na ligtas ang gamot sa mga masasamang bagay. Kailangan maipakita ng BFAD ang mga pagbabago na sinisimulan na nila sa ahensya. Hinding-hindi na pwede itong business-as-usual na ugali pagdating sa kaligtasan ng ating taumbayan (The BFAD now holds more money to ensure the safety of medicines. The BFAD must show their planned changes within the agency. We can no longer have the business-as-usual attitude when it comes to the safety of our people),” he said.
The Cheaper Medicines Act, among other things, seeks to:

* Strengthen competition by amending the Intellectual Property Code to:

     o Allow the “parallel importation” of patented medicines from other countries where these are more affordable;
     o Prohibit the grant of new patents based only on newly-discovered uses of a known drug substance;
     o Allow local generics firms to test, produce and register their generic versions of patented drugs, so these can be sold right upon patent expiry (“early working principle”); and
     o Allow the government use of patented drugs when the public interest is at stake.

* Give the President the power to impose price ceilings on various drugs, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of health. These drugs include those for chronic illnesses, for prevention of diseases, and those in the Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF) Essential Drug List;

* Strengthen the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) in order for it to ensure the safety of medicines, by allowing it to retain its revenues--roughly P150 million every year--for upgrading of its facilities, equipment and human resources; and

* Ensure the availability of affordable medicines by requiring drug outlets to carry a variety of brands for each drug—including those sourced from “parallel importation”—to give the consumer more choices.

Friday, November 7, 2008 | posted in , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

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