2nd wave of medicine price cuts starts; DOH warns violators
With a stern warning against violators, the Health Department reminded drug stores and hospitals to comply with price cuts on a second batch of medicines that took effect Wednesday.
Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said they will make sure medicine outlets would comply by posting price lists of the medicines covered by the price cut.
"May kaparusahan na multa kung di sila sumunod dito. Kung paulit ang complaint sa kanila pwede tanggalan ng lisensya at isara ang botika (There are corresponding penalties if they do not follow the price cut. If we receive complaints against some establishments, we may have to revoke their licenses and close them down)," Cabral said in an interview on dzBB radio.
She said even hospitals will be subject to the voluntary price reduction scheme, as most of them already agreed to it.
Under Section 35 of Republic Act 9502, the Cheaper Medicines Law, violators face penalties between P100,000 to P1 million.
Succeeding offenses may result in the suspension or revocation of the violator's license to operate (LTO), business or professional license, as the case may be.
The Health Department had approved the second batch of 97 essential medicines that will be sold for half their original price starting March 31.
Cabral said the new list included medicines for hypertension and chronic diseases, bladder and prostate disorders, hepatitis, asthma, depression and psychotic and mental disorders, as well as some medical equipment and fluids for dialysis.
"Ang kategorya sa blood pressure, cholesterol, antibiotics, anti-cancer, at renal dialysis fluid (The new batch includes medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol, antibiotics, anti-cancer and renal dialysis fluids)," she said.
She said her department also expects prices to go down for asthma inhaler medicine and skin medicines.
Government hopes to realize P2 billion in savings from the recent price reductions.
The Cheaper Medicines Law took effect on Aug. 15, 2009, requiring all drugstores and hospital pharmacies to charge the discounted prices.
Under the first batch were five medicines for compulsory compliance and 16 other essential medicines for voluntary compliance.
"Magpapaskil kami ng poster sa drug outlet, botika at hospital (We will place posters in drug outlets, pharmacies and hospitals)," Cabral said
