LOWER DRUG PRICES. At least 18 pharmaceutical companies offer to lower prices of their drugs, as well as provide medical assistance to Filipino patients.
In a statement Thursday, October 24, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines said some members met with DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III and patient organizations earlier this week to discuss lowering medicine prices. Under the MDRP scheme, prices are expected to have a mean price reduction of 56% from prevailing market prices. For example, if a particular drug typically costs around P100, with the imposed MDRP, it would cost around P44 on average.
“Government hospitals, not price control, are the solution in helping the public reduce their medicine costs. The issue that needs to be addressed is how to make supplies last and how to make them more available through other outlets,” Padilla said.