Press Release
October 7, 2007

ROXAS HOPEFUL OF MEDICINES
BILL'S PASSAGE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Senator Mar Roxas expressed high hopes that the Senate and the House of Representatives would be able to reconcile their versions of a bill to provide quality affordable medicines for Filipinos.

"We have momentum and our people's support on our side. Hopefully, we can have this vital health measure enacted before Christmas," Roxas said. However, he called on the people to remain vigilant against any attempts by lobbyists working for some multinational drug firms to derail the bill's approval.

Roxas foresees that the drive to cut the costs of medicines will lead to stronger institutions and better ties between and among executive departments, local government units, both Houses of Congress and the private sector.

"This noble cause can galvanize the country and dramatize the need to put people first in crafting and implementing public policy," he said.

The senator extended his appreciation to the authors of the House version and committees for their hard work in shepherding the bill through exhaustive debates.

"As we in the Senate have tried to consider all factors in crafting the best possible bill for quality affordable medicines bill, we see the same effort on the part of the House," Roxas, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1658, the "Quality Affordable Medicines Act of 2007," which the Senate passed on second reading last Tuesday.

"Both chambers of Congress consulted similar resource persons, and have the same goal in mind for our people. I am confident that any differences between our versions will be manageable and could be threshed out," he added.

The senator made the statement as he expects the House to approve its committee report on its counterpart bill tomorrow (Monday). The bill would then undergo floor deliberations. "I commend all the authors of both the Senate and House versions for giving this measure the priority that it deserves."

Roxas noted that both versions carry amendments to the Intellectual Property Code while introducing mechanisms to strengthen government policy and action on exorbitant costs of medicines.

"We will combine the best features of the two bills and act solely with our people's welfare in mind," Roxas said.

SB 1658 also provides ample muscle to the government to use patented drugs in certain situations, with adequate compensation to patent holders.

SB 1658 provides amendments to the Intellectual Property Code for the parallel importation of more affordable medicines from abroad; support to the generics industry by adopting the "early working" principle and to disallow the grant of new patents on grounds of "new use;" and ample muscle to the government through a framework for government use and compulsory licensing.

Congress will go on recess next week, and will resume on November 5. It will adjourn for the Christmas on December 22, and will resume on January 20 next year.

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