MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health is “working on” another round of drug price cuts before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term ends next June, according to DoH Secretary Esperanza Cabral.
However, Cabral said, they were “not making any promises.”
The first two rounds of voluntary price reductions by some 20 local pharmaceutical companies covered over 200 types of drugs and health care products sold in drug stores and hospital pharmacies nationwide.
Dr. Robert Louie So, head of the DoH’s National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management, said his office’s “initiatives in bringing down the prices of medicines do not stop.”
Meanwhile, a study conducted late last year by the non-government Center for Legislative Development (CLD) showed that despite drug price cuts of 50 to 70 percent, the Arroyo administration’s “access to cheap medicines” program benefited mainly the middle class and not the poor—its intended beneficiaries.
Read the full story by Jerry Esplanada
Really informative – continue to spread the word. Looking forward to an update. For too long now have I had the urge to begin with my own blog. Guess if I wait around any longer I’ll never do it. I’ll make sure to include you in my Blogroll. Many thanks!!