STATEMENT OF SENATOR MAR ROXAS ON THE FAILURE OF
THE LOWER HOUSE TO PASS THE BILL ON AFFORDABLE DRUGS

This is a sad day for all Filipinos especially our senior citizens who were banking on the passage of this bill to bring down the cost of medicines.

Certified as urgent by the President, passed on third reading by the Senate, included in the calendar of the special session as a vital measure all it needed was the approval of the House majority. Instead, a bill extending the franchise of Pagcor was passed.

I am deeply disappointed but the fight for more affordable medicines must go on.

The non-passage of this bill is in direct contrast to bold initiatives taking place in Thailand where its government is thinking of breaking patents and resorting to compulsory licensing so that Thai pharmaceutical companies will manufacture life-saving drugs at a cheaper cost for the Thai people.

Our proposed measure is more conservative. It is legal, consistent with international agreements, and in line with how other countries are balancing business with social benefits to the people.

With the non-passage of this bill, the Philippines will remain second class in the availability of quality health care that citizens of other governments are able to have.

I urge our electorate especially our senior citizens to make this an issue in the forthcoming elections, and to choose candidates who will favor this bill once seated in Congress.