Press Release
December 6, 2007

ROXAS LOOKING FORWARD TO MEDICINES BILL PASSAGE
OPTIMISTICS THAT BICAM DISCUSSION WILL RESULT IN THE BEST BILL

Senator Mar Roxas today expressed his optimism that Congress will be able to come up with the best package of measures seeking to ensure quality and affordable medicines to all Filipinos.

"The Senate has already done its part to pass what we have determined as the most appropriate means to bring down medicine costs. We believe that our colleagues in the House are cognizant of the urgent scenario, and we are eagerly awaiting for their affirmative action," Roxas said.

The primary sponsor of the Quality and Affordable Medicines bill in the Senate urged his counterparts in the House to come up with the most effective measure that would relieve the plight of many ailing Filipinos, including roughly 12 million diabetics and 15 million hypertensives.

He said he hopes that a repeat of last Congress' failure to approve the said bill will not happen, as the need for quality and affordable medicines is urgent. He noted that the President certified the measure as urgent in the 13th and 14th Congresses, and both Houses have pledged to prioritize this measure.

"As in the last Congress, we are looking forward to threshing-out and discussing the pertinent provisions of the Senate and House versions in order to come up with the best law to correct the unjust situation of high drug prices in the Philippines, even as our neighbors benefit from these same medicines at a lower cost," he said.

The House version of the bill is now being deliberated in plenary, pending individual amendments expected to be wrapped-up next week. Congress is scheduled to adjourn on December 21 for the holidays, and will resume on January 20, 2008.

The Liberal Party president stressed that the approval of this measure will depend on the political will of all policy makers involved in the process.

"Hindi natin kailangang pagtiisan ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng mataas na presyo ng gamot. Hindi puwedeng manatili tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon, at tinatawagan tayo ng ating mga kababayan na kumilos para baguhin ang di-makatarungang kalagayan natin," he added.

"Oras na para sa mabisang gamot sa abot-kayang halaga para sa ating mga kababayan," he stressed.

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