Press Release
June 25, 2009

ROXAS TO DOH: INCLUDE ANTI-A(H1N1) MEDS IN MRP LIST

Drugs needed to combat the A(H1N1) influenza such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) capsules should be subjected to the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said today.

"Nagsipagtaasan na ang halaga ng Tamiflu at iba pang gamot dahil sa mataas na demand para sa mga ito. Hindi natin puwedeng hayaan na samantalahin ng mga negosyante ang sitwasyon," the primary author of the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines law said.

"Di dapat pabayaan ng gobyerno ang kapakanan ng taumbayan sa kabila ng global pandemic ng A(H1N1). Kaya hinihiling ko sa DOH na isama na sa listahan ng mga gamot na isasailalim sa maximum retail price," he stressed.

Tamiflu, a popular brand of the anti-viral drug oseltamivir used to treat symptoms of the A(H1N1) virus, is sold in drugstores at around P150 to P155 per capsule. The DOH was able to purchase its first batch of 750,000 capsules of Tamiflu at P40 each before the virus started spreading across the globe. The second batch acquired by the department cost P48 per capsule.

Roxas said the Department of Health (DoH) should pursue the inclusion of Oseltamivir and other drugs to treat the symptoms of A(H1N1) flu in the list of 22 medicines to be subjected to MRP that it earlier submitted to the President. The President has yet to sign the draft Executive Order imposing the MRP since it was submitted weeks ago.

"Ihabol na ng DOH ang Oseltamivir at iba pang gamot laban sa A(H1N1). Tutal, di pa naman napipirmahan ng Pangulo ang draft E.O. nila," the Visayan senator said.

The Department of Health has submitted to President Arroyo an MRP list for the Top 22 Prescribed Medicines in the country, a move mandated under the Cheaper Medicines law, which was enacted into law last year.

News reports indicated that prices of flu drugs and vaccine have allegedly tripled amidst the A(H1N1) scare affecting the country. The surge in prices was credited to demands from health-conscious buyers, who have flocked health centers and drug stores for the medicines and vaccines.

"Kailangan nating kumilos ng mabilis. Mahalagang may sapat na suplay ng gamot laban sa A(H1N1) flu ngunit mahalaga ding siguruhin ng gobyerno na ang mga ito ay abot-kaya nating lahat," he said.

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