IN a bid to grant access to life-saving medicine to more people, President Duterte signed Executive Order 155 on Tuesday imposing a cap on the wholesale and retail prices for selected drugs.
In a news statement, Acting Presidential spokesman Karlo B. Nograles said the issuance would help reduce health-related expenses of many people in line with the Universal Health Care Act.
The new issuance imposed a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and/or Maximum Wholesale Price (MW) on 34 drug molecules and 71 drug formulas used in agents affecting bone metabolism, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-angina, antiarrhythmics, anti-asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medicines, antibiotics, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, antidiabetic drugs, antidiuretics, and antiemetics.
It will also cover anti-glaucoma, anti-hypercholesterolemia medicines, antihypertensive medicines, anti-neoplastic/anti-cancer medicines, anti-Parkinsons drugs, drugs for overactive bladders, growth hormone inhibitors, immunosuppressant drugs, iron chelating agents, and psoriasis, seborrhea and ichthyosis medicines.
Drug manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, traders, and retailers are mandated to comply with the MRP and MW, including the necessary labeling for its implementation, or face sanctions.
Violators of the provisions of EO 155 will be held accountable in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9502 or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, which includes administrative fines of not less than P50,000, but not more than P5,000,000.
90-day timeline
Affected companies were given a “non-extendable period of 90-days” from the effectiveness to dispose of their existing stocks using prevailing prices.
“Thereafter, regardless of the status of the existing stock, the MRP and/or MWP under this Order shall be strictly implemented,” Duterte said.
The Department of Health (DOH) was instructed to conduct the investigation against the erring companies and impose administrative fines and penalties.
The new issuance is set to take effect once it is published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
DOH was also tasked to consult the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to review the list of MRP and MWs six months after EO 155 took effect, and every six months thereafter.
Both DOH and DTI together with the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) will also “study and propose measures” on the procurement, price negotiation and other mechanisms, which will influence the supply, demand, expenditure on drugs and medicines.
Likewise, DOH was authorized to come out with the implementing guidelines for EO 155.