ROXAS TO GOV'T: STOP TALK, PRODUCE LIST OF CHEAP MEDS
HOT AIR WON'T SATISFY PUBLIC DEMAND FOR QUICK ACTION

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today pressed anew Malacanang and the departments of health and trade and industry to make public list of medicines volunteered by pharmaceutical companies to sell at lower prices.

"Tama na ang mga sikretong pulong. Ilabas na n'yo ang listahan ng murang gamot para makabili na tayo ng murang gamot sa mga botika (Stop these secret meetings. Make public the list of cheap medicines so they can be made available now in drugstores)," said Roxas.

Roxas, who worked on passing the Cheap Medicines Law for 10 years before succeeding in getting it signed into law, said a public getting only hot air from Malacanang spokespersons cannot wait a day longer for Mrs. Arroyo to exercise powers that Congress gave Presidents to regulate prices of essential medicines when necessary.

"Bakit kaya mas malakas ang mga dambuhalang kumpanya ng gamot kay Ginang Arroyo kesa sa mga kababayan nating hirap sa makabili ng mga kailangan nilang gamot? (Why are the giant pharmaceutical companies more important to Mrs. Arroyo than our people who have to pay the high cost of medicines)," the Visayan senator added.

Roxas has criticized Mrs. Arroyo for favoring voluntary compliance with the Cheaper Medicines Law instead of imposing a maximum retail price on medicines. An executive order imposing the price ceiling is awaiting Mrs. Arroyo's signature since June 16.

Some of the drugs whose prices will be halved under the EO are the anti-hypertensive Norvasc (to P22.50 from the present P44.50), anti-diabetic Diamicron (to P7.35 from P14.75), antibiotic Augmentin suspension 60 ml (to P179.50 from P359), among others.

The Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Quality Affordable Medicines Law will resume its investigation into the alleged collusion between drug companies and President Arroyo to sabotage the cheap medicines program.