Press Release
September 1, 2009

ROXAS LAUDS RM AWARDEE FOR WORK ON CHEAP MEDS
EXHORTS GOV'T TO HEED CALL FOR POLITICAL WILL FOR THE POOR

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today hailed Thai pharmacist Krisanta Kraisintu for her noble work of producing much-needed affordable drugs not only for her mother country Thailand , but for other nations as well like Tanzania , Africa and China .

The primary author of the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act said Malacañang should take its cue from Kraisintu, one of this year's six Ramon Magsaysay awardees, and exercise political will to ensure affordable and quality medicines for the nation's poorest of the poor.

"Saludo ako kay Krisanta Kraisintu. Sa kabila ng pambabraso ng malalaking kumpanya ng gamot, gumawa siya ng paraan para magkaroon ng abot-kayang gamot sa Thailand at iba pang mahihirap na bansa (I admire Krisanta Kraisintu. Despite the bullying of multinational pharma, she pursued her dream of affordable medicines for Thailand and other poorer countries)," he said.

"Let us learn from her triumph. Matuto tayong manindigan para sa ating mga paniniwala. Ito rin ang ating hamon sa gobyerno (Let us learn to stand for our beliefs. This also stands as a challenge to government)," he added.

The Visayan senator stressed that under the Cheaper Medicines Law, the government has been given many tools it can use to combat the exorbitant prices of essential medicines. Unfortunately, the government's actions leave more to be desired.

After more than a year of gathering dust, Malacañang last month began the implementation of the new law. But only five essential medicines are included in the mandatory 50% price slash under Executive Order 821; 16 other medicines were subjected to a so-called "voluntary compliance."

"If a single individual could do wonders to change the medical landscape, why can't a government armed with all the tools to do the same? Political will is the difference, and that is what our government has yet to show," he said.

The Congressional Oversight Committee on Affordable Medicines, which Roxas co-chairs, will hold a hearing on Wednesday on the landmark law's implementation. "Nagpapatuloy ang ating laban para sa murang gamot (We continue to wage our battle for affordable medicines)," he stressed.

News Latest News Feed