Press Release
June 16, 2009

ROXAS APPEALS TO GMA: APPROVE, SIGN MRP LIST

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today stressed the importance of a Malacañang-approved Maximum Retail Price (MRP) list of the top 22 most prescribed medicines in the country, in light of the continuing spread of the A(H1N1) virus in the countryside.

Roxas, principal author of the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines law, appealed to President Arroyo to immediately the MRP list expected to be submitted by the Department of Health anytime this week.

"Kailangang maging madali para sa ating mga kababayan ang pagbili ng murang gamot lalo na ngayong patuloy na kumakalat ang AH1N1 sa ating bansa," he said.

"Gloria, patunayan mo ang pangako mong pangangalagaan mo ang kalusugan ng ating mamamayan. Huwag ka ng mag-atubili sa pagpirma nitong MRP pars sa 22 pinakanireresetang gamot sa ating bansa," he added.

He reiterated millions of Filipinos suffering from various illnesses, like hypertension and diabetes, would immensely benefit if prices of the top 22 prescribed medicines are slashed by as much as 50%, as the proposed MRP list imposes.

"Magkakaroon ng domino effect kapag bumagsak ang halaga ng mga gamot na ito. Siguradong mapipilitang ibaba ng mga higanteng kumpanya ang kanilang mga presyo, at ito ay makabubuti sa ating mga kababayan," the Visayan senator said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque had promised the congressional Cheap Medicines oversight committee the MRP list would soon be endorsed to President Arroyo for her review and approval.

The initial MRP list includes anti-hypertensive, anti-thrombotic, anti-cholesterol, anti-diabetic, antibiotics/antibacterial and anti-neoplastic drugs, which would be slashed by 50% based on the price of the leading brands.

Some of these branded drugs are the anti-hypertensive drug Norvasc, the price of which would drop to P22.50 from the present P44.50; anti-diabetic Diamicron, P7.35 from P14.75; antibiotic Flagyl, P66 from P132; antibiotic Zithromax, P149.37 from P298.75; antibiotic Tazocin, P1061.86 from P2,123.75; antibiotic Augmention suspension 60 ml, P179.50 from P359; Augmentin suspension 70 ml, P439.50 from P879; and anti-neoplastic Carboplatin 450 mg vial, P2117.61 from P4857.15.

"Gloria, unahin mo ang taumbayan. Matagal mo na silang tinatalikuran. Patunayan mo ngayon ang iyong pangakong hindi mo sila pababayaan," Roxas said.

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