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 cheaper medicines bill, doh, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 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 cheaper medicines bill, doh, francisco duque, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president, tamiflu | 1 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 cheaper medicines bill, doh, health, mar roxas, pgma, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to DTI, DOH on A(H1N1): Be ahead of the curve

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas stressed that the government, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Health (DOH) should ensure fullest possible access to critical goods needed to deal with a possible Influenza A(H1N1) emergency situation.

"Pangunahan na ng gobyerno ang sitwasyon. Dapat maghanda ito sa posibleng pagbulusok ng A(H1N1) Flu. Dapat abot-kamay ng publiko ang mga kinakailangang produkto para sugpuin ang sakit na ito," he said.

"The supply of Tamiflu is not the only critical element. Once an emergency situation sets in, the demand for preventive products like disinfectants, sanitizers, alcohols, masks, and even multivitamins could shoot up. The government has to be ahead of the curve and be prepared for this scenario," he stressed.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said DTI and DOH, together with other government agencies involved in combating A(H1N1) flu, should form a task force to identify all critical goods and preventive products, monitor their prices, secure their sources of supply and prepare for possible price controls.

"The government should also be on the guard against unscrupulous businessmen who take advantage of the situation, as well as against misleading advertising messages prescribing sham cures", he said.

"Hindi dapat payagang abusuhin tayo ng mga loko sa negosyo. Dapat mangibabaw ang interes ng publiko sa lahat ng oras, lalo na sa panahon ng kagipitan," the former DTI secretary said.

"Information should be delivered as to which disinfectant products in the market are most effective in preventing the spread of the virus," he added.

Furthermore, he said the task force should give special focus to urban poor communities that are the most vulnerable to disease contagion because of congestion, lack of water and lack of access to preventive and curative goods.

"Magtulungan tayo. Magsama tayo’t labanan ang problemang dala ng AH1N1 sa ating bansa," Roxas said.

Friday, June 19, 2009 | posted in a(h1n1), doh, dti, health, mar roxas, philippines, tamiflu | 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 alexander padilla, antonio alvarez, cheaper medicines bill, doh, francisco duque, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, teddy locsin | 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 barangay health corps, botika ng bayan, cheaper medicines bill, doh, health, mar roxas, philippines | 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 cheaper medicines bill, doh, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 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 barangay health corps, cheaper medicines bill, csc, dilg, doh, mar roxas, philippines | 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 baguio city, betty lourdes tabanda, cheaper medicines bill, dbm, doh, dswd, mar roxas, pitc | 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 botika ng bayan, cheaper medicines bill, doh, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, pitc, president | 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 botika ng bayan, cheaper medicines bill, doh, dti, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas sought P500M budget realignment for cheaper medicines; but proposed add'l 2008 DOH budget not acted on

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas revealed last Sunday he sought to realign P500 million from the proposed 2008 national budget to make available cheaper medicines to the public under a law that he authored, but Congress' conference committee did not act on it.

The Ilonggo senator said he wrote Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate Finance Committee Chairman, to consider realigning P500 million from the P3-billion Kilos Asenso Fund as additional budget for the Department of Health's Medicine Procurement Program under the Cheaper Medicines Act.

As primary author of that law, Roxas sought to make available to Filipinos cheap medicines that are normally sold here at high prices by local and foreign drug companies.

"Ang sagot natin sana sa mataas na presyo ng gamot dito sa atin ay itong batas na itinulak ko sa Kongreso, at hiniling ko na bigyan ng dagdag na P500 milyon ang budget ng DOH para sa implementasyon nito."

He said the conference committee, however, only approved his recommendation that P50 million be allotted as budget for the reintegration of returning OFWs under the Social Protection and Welfare Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and another P10 million for the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) for the purchase of laboratory equipment for the implementation of the cheaper medicines law.

Roxas said he is releasing this information ahead of an expected showdown Monday on senatorial budget insertions arising from allegations of Senator Panfilo Lacson that Senate President Manuel Villar engineered an insertion in the GAA for a "road to nowhere."

"I requested realignments in the 2008 budget for what I believed are for the public interest and I hope everybody bare their own requests so this won't turn into a game of deception and obfuscation," he said.

He added that his request was also approved for P90 million under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the widening and improvement of the heavily congested Manila-Cavite Road.

He said the P90 million request was made under the representation of Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, who sought the appropriation to address mounting complaints from Cavite's motorists of massive daily traffic congestion to and from Manila especially during the rush hour.

"This is a project to widen the road that is a major route not only for Cavite's beleaguered motorists and commuters, but also for cargo trucks transporting export products from the Cavite Export Processing Zone to Manila for shipment," he said.

Roxas said: "The national budget involves the people's hard-earned money that they entrusted to the government through taxes, so they ought to know whether these are being spent for their benefit or only for the benefit of a few."

He said the Senate Finance Committee, and thereafter the bicameral conference committee, approved his proposed amendment to the 2008 GAA for the allotment of P50 million for the DOLE's OFW social integration program.

"Daan-libong mga kababayan nating OFW ang bumabalik dito sa Pilipinas na walang trabaho o hindi alam kung paano gagamitin ang kinita nila. Kaya kasama ito sa programa na inaprubahan ng Kongreso sa ilalim ng aking panukala. Hindi lang po natin gustong makabalik nang ligtas ang ating mga OFWs kundi siguruhin din na magiging maayos din ang kanilang buhay sa pag-uwi nila," he said.

Under this program, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs of the DOLE will provide counseling, job matching services and skills training and development for returning OFWs, Roxas noted. He also said that DOLE had been pushing for this project for a long time and it was only funded this year.

Roxas said the P10 million for the DOH was allotted for the purchase of laboratory equipment for BFAD in preparation for the full implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Act.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 | posted in bfad, cheaper medicines bill, doh, dole, joseph abaya, juan ponce enrile, manny villar, mar roxas, ofw, ping lacson, road to nowhere | 1 comments [ More ]

Roxas asks gov't agencies to speed up processing of benefits

Senator Mar Roxas has written the Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), asking both agencies to provide immediate assistance to their members who suffered enormous losses due to typhoon "Frank"

"Our government must now speed up the processing of the necessary documents so that the thousands of typhoon victims who have lost their homes, property and loved ones can receive some relief to help them rebuild their lives," said Roxas, a former representative of Capiz, which was among the provinces in the Western Visayas region that were ravaged by the storm.

He commended PAG-IBIG, which, in a reply to Roxas' office, has already committed to providing P1.5 billion worth of calamity loans for victims in Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo.

"I thank PAG-IBIG President Miro Quimbo for his responsiveness to my call for expeditious assistance to the typhoon victims. This will go a long way in helping them, and I hope other government offices follow suit," he said, adding that he will also seek the assistance of the Social Security System (SSS).

In the letter to the Senator, Quimbo said he has instructed the PAG-IBIG branches to accept and expedite processing of calamity loans in the Western Visayas provinces.

Roxas, Liberal Party President, called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DoH) to provide on-site assistance and coordinate directly with those affected by the typhoon.

The Senator has paid multiple visits to the stricken areas, coordinating relief and rehabilitation efforts, and providing people with basic needs such as food, water and medicines. Several donors from the private sector have also responded to the senator's call for relief goods such as candles, sardines, juice drinks, noodles and bottled water to help the victims.

"The destruction and mounting number of casualties because of typhoon 'Frank' is heartbreaking. We all need to pitch in and help to give rays of hope to those affected by the storm and floods," he said.

Latest reports have pegged the death toll nationwide from "Frank" at 498, of which 416 were from Western Visayas. With regards to the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars, there have been 124 found dead, 62 survivors, and over 600 more still missing.

The total number of displaced people has been pegged at 2.4 million people, or about 2.7% of the country's population, with 1.4 million of these from Western Visayas. 487,412 families nationwide were displaced, and damages have been estimated at P5.5 billion. P2 billion of this accrues from damage to farm lands and infrastructure in Western Visayas.

Sunday, June 29, 2008 | posted in deped, doh, dswd, gsis, mar roxas, nbi, pag-ibig, philhealth, philippines, typhoon frank, visayas | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: War for Affordable Medicines starts after enactment

As a landmark law for affordable medicines is signed today, Senator Mar Roxas urged the executive to use the new law as a weapon against the unjust regime of exorbitantly-priced medicines that have long resulted in lives cut short.

Roxas, the principal author of the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act said that to jumpstart the law's implementation, the President must immediately allocate at least P1 billion for the parallel importation program. She should also direct the Bureau of Food and Drugs to fast-track reforms using its own earnings as now permitted by the law.

"To win the war against unjust drug prices, the government must set aside at least P1 billion for parallel importation of essential maintenance drugs. Ensuring wide public access to affordable medicines is underpins a national strategy for longer and healthier lives," he said.

Roxas said government agencies must finalize the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) at the soonest possible time. In drafting the IRR, he said the broadest sectors must be involved and consulted with by the government to thwart any efforts to derail the noble intentions of the law.

"Our battle does not end with the skirmishes we won in Congress. Those with vested interests have the money and power to see to it that the law will fail. The war for more affordable medicines can be won if we put up a united front against those who prefer to keep the status quo," the chair of the Senate trade and commerce committee said.

Yesterday, Roxas met with leaders of various labor groups and discussed how they could bring in more affordable medicines for their members, be it through the Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) or by themselves engaging in parallel importation. He reported that the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines expressed interest in pursuing parallel importation of essential drugs for its members.

"I am optimistic that the different sectors will rally behind the crusade for affordable medicines. TUCP Secretary-General Ernesto Herrera will sit down next week with PITC officials to concretize the initial steps toward parallel importation. I will continue to work with other sectors that are wiling to use this law to promote better health among their members," he said.

The Liberal Party President stressed that his 10-year battle for quality and affordable medicines does not end today with the enactment of the law. He said passing this law is just the first step; making sure that the government uses all the tools available under the law and pooling the support of the broader sectors would be the next campaign.

"Our war for more affordable, accessible and quality medicines for our people continues. On my part, we will meet with various civil society groups, labor groups, private entities, among others, to pull them in and be involved in bringing down prices of medicines," he said.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 | posted in bfad, cheaper medicines bill, doh, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, pitc, president, tucp | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas calls for immediate approval of Affordable Medicines law

Senator Mar Roxas urged President Arroyo to immediately sign into law the approved consolidated version of the quality affordable medicines bill so that its implementation can begin.

Roxas, the principal author of the law now known as the "Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008," said he is puzzled why the signing of the law has yet to take place nearly a week after it was ratified by the Senate and the House of Representatives—despite President Arroyo's declared support for it.

"We were able to pass the law before Labor Day as the legislature's gift to the people. I am puzzled that nothing has happened since and as of yesterday, we have yet to be informed about the date for its signing," he said.

He noted the concern voiced by Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla that some multinational firms might attempt to slow down the process of turning the affordable medicines measure into law as a means of preserving their profits.

"We all know that the President has been very supportive of this bill and so I am a bit perplexed as to why its signing has been delayed for nearly a week now," Roxas said.

He noted that the President only has three options whenever a bill is on her table: to sign it into law, to veto it or to just let it lapse into law. "It would be unfortunate if she just lets the Affordable Medicines Bill lapse into law."

The Liberal Party President reiterated his call for the Department of Health to convene an Affordable Medicines Summit in anticipation of the approval of the long-awaited law.

"We need a clear roadmap for implementation that already contains the inputs of the different sectors," the senator said, adding that this should be followed by an intensive public awareness campaign on the benefits of the new law.

He also called on the executive branch to exercise moral courage and political will in ensuring the proper implementation of the forthcoming affordable medicines law.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 | posted in alex padilla, cheaper medicines bill, doh, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Solon warns public about alleged multi-million PR effort to discredit medicines law

Rep. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya (1st District, Cavite) warned the public not to fall into the web of deceit and desperate hysterics being spun by doomsayers in Congress about the cheaper medicines bill.

"I have received reports that there is a multi-million PR slush fund to discredit the bill and its key authors," Abaya said, adding that this may also be tied to the 2010 elections. Sen. Mar Roxas, the principal author of the medicines bill, is considered among the frontrunners in the presidential race in 2010.

Abaya, one of the co-authors of the House bill, expressed his full support to the joint efforts of House trade and commerce chair Antonio Alvarez and his Senate counterpart, Senator Mar Roxas in consolidating both versions of the bill.

"Millions of ailing Filipinos have much to lose if this urgent health bill is delayed further or derailed permanently. In the 13th Congress, the House failed to pass this measure due to lack of quorum. Today, some legislators are out to discredit this measure and its proponents by saying that it is "watered-down". The truth is that people with vested interests are scared that the medicines law would actually work and thus lead to drastic cuts in the earnings of pharmaceutical companies," Abaya added.

"On the contrary, precisely because their recommendations were ignored, we now have a stronger, more cohesive bill," Abaya stressed.

The congressman from Cavite noted that the generics-only provision was dropped upon the request of the President with the Senate agreeing to consider this as part of a separate bill. The House provision creating a drug price regulatory board was replaced by a new provision that would grant price regulatory powers to the Secretary of Health who would in turn make his recommendation to the President.

"The Secretary of Health is in a better position to review drug prices compared to a board composed of political appointees without sufficient backgrounds about medicines and prices," Abaya added.

The LP stalwart pressed for the bill’s passage by May 1. "This is our collective gift to the people on Labor Day and we should not allow people with vested interests to succeed in blocking this bill."

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 | posted in antonio alvarez, campaign, cheaper medicines bill, doh, joseph abaya, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Now the real work begins

Given the assured passage of the Quality Affordable Medicines Act on or before Labor Day, Senator Mar Roxas, principal sponsor and author of the bill, challenged the executive branch to come up with a concrete action plan for its effective implementation.

“I thank House Speaker Prospero Nograles and the House panel headed by Palawan Rep. Tony Alvarez for agreeing to deal with the issue of ‘generics-only’ prescriptions in a separate bill. The Quality Affordable Medicines bill can now become a law, with no hurdles left to its passage,” said Roxas, co-chair of the bicameral panel for the bill.

“With our decade-long struggle to turn this into law over, we can now focus our energies on a concrete national action plan to bring medicine prices down,” he added.

Roxas, during his time as Trade Secretary in 2000, was a main proponent for amendments to the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which allowed for concessions to developing countries such as the easing of patent restrictions, a major aspect of the Quality Affordable Medicines bill. The measure had already been passed by the Senate in the 13th Congress, but a quorum problem in the House prevented its enactment then.

The senator proposed a P1-Billion Special Fund to purchase quality drugs from India as a way to jumpstart the implementation of the forthcoming landmark law. He cited the growing number of Filipinos suffering from hypertension and diabetes as examples of specific ailments that require expensive daily maintenance medicines.

“Parallel importation of life-saving medicines would benefit millions of ailing Filipinos. This is one way of giving back to the people what the government collects by way of taxes,” he said.

Roxas pushed for amendments to the Intellectual Property Code which seek to allow the parallel importation of locally patented drugs and to allow generic manufacturers to test, register, produce patented drugs prior to patent expiry, among others.

“With the present condition of high prices, poor families are forced to choose between medicines and food. We need to push for the effective implementation of this law to enable them to save money and maintain good health by bringing in more affordable medicines,” Roxas said.

The Liberal Party President urged the Department of Health to lay the groundwork for an Affordable Medicines Summit participated by local and national government officials, the business sector and other stakeholders.

“It is our duty as lawmakers to oversee the executive’s actions, to ensure that our new law is taken full advantage of and that its noble intentions are actually felt by the public,” Roxas said.

The Quality Affordable Medicines Act will also strengthen the Bureau of Food and Drugs to serve as a counterfoil to attempts to bring in fake or substandard medicines by allowing BFAD to retain its operating income from fees and other charges so it could upgrade its facilities and beef up its human resources.

The measure also allows for the imposition of price regulation of medicines, as an option in case the free market by itself is unable to bring down prices. This would be implemented by the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health. An initial P25-million appropriation is also set for such implementation.

Thursday, April 24, 2008 | posted in bfad, cheaper medicines bill, doh, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president, prospero nograles, tony alvarez | 0 comments [ More ]