GSK commits to provide value health to Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines - Long before the Cheaper Medicines Act was passed, Glaxo Smithkline (GSK) has reduced the prices of some of its products and continues to do so because of its commitment to provide value health products to Filipinos and consumers worldwide.

Thus stated Roberto Taboada, GSK president and Managing Director, even as he said that the new prescription medicines and vaccines that the company will produce will be priced relatively lower than actual market rates to ensure that more people, especially those using these products to maintain wellness, can afford them.

GSK showed to media its state of the art facilities in Cainta, Rizal (set up in 1963 in a 8,707-square meter lot) which, among others, highlights on product safety every step of the way even up to pharmacy shelves. “We are committed to make quality branded drugs affordable and available to all people,” said Taboada.

The company is the leading producer of vaccines and some maintenance drugs for heart, cancers, HIV, hypertension, allergies and others and spends around $5 billion on research and development. In 2008, it launched its vaccine against cervical cancer (the second largest killer next to breast cancer).

The plant manufactures both pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare products to domestic and international markets. It exports to seven markets namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.

The plant had been upgraded and expanded since 1996 with an annual production of 10.5 million bottles, 600 million tablets, 84 million capsules and 7.5 million tubes. Among its brands are Calpol, Eye Mo, Astring O Sol, Dequadin, Ambrolex, Bactroban, Tums, Tagamet and Ventolin.

In 2009, it reduced the prices of 28 of its products (or 60 percent of its lines) by 30 to 50 percent until the next seven years.

GSK reduced the price of its breast cancer line by 40 percent in February 2010 which was followed by an equal price reduction for its prostate cancer line. It is also the only one that has treatment for Parkinsons Disease, which it launched in November 2009 (long after the now blessed Pope John Paul II died of).

For 2011, the company will soon launch its product against renal cancer and prostate enlargement, also at the lower than market rates since we can recover the reduced prices from selling bigger volumes, Taboada said.

Taboada said his company is proud to have contributed to the significant improvement in the life expectancy of Filipinos over the last 50 years.

The company produces medicines to treat asthma, metastatic breast cancer, hepatitis B, hypertension, skin conditions, virus control, infections, mental health and digestive conditions.

It makes available 25 vaccines to prevent potentially life threatening or crippling illnesses like hepatitis A and B, cervical cancer, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, chickenpox, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza and bacterial meningitis.

In 2010, it was awarded the Employer of the Year by the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) for outstanding management of its most important asset—people.