Pharex claims Generics are at par with branded meds

CEBU, Philippines - Pharex (Pharmaceutical Excellence) HealthCorp., a distributor of generic medicines, claims the effectiveness of generic medicines in treating illnesses is at par with the branded ones.

“Generic medicines are not inferior in quality to branded ones. (Generics or branded,) they are the same treatment. We have evidences to support this claim. We have made studies to prove that this is true,” Pharex president and chief executive officer Tomas Marcelo Agana III told The Freeman.

He said the availability of generic medicines, which are priced lower than the branded medicines, in the market has widened the choices of medicines for the Filipinos. This has helped those in financial difficulty to acquire proper medication while coping with the hard times.

Agana said the prices of Pharex’s products are lower by as much as 70 percent compared to their branded counterparts, which they highly attribute to the company’s manufacturing, marketing and distribution strategies, dubbed as the Pharex Economix.

He said Pharex Economix begins with the product manufacturer, its mother-company, Pascual Laboratories, which “window shops” around the world for low-priced yet quality active ingredients of the medicines; the company’s prudent relationship with doctors and other medical practitioners; and its uni-branding marketing strategy.

Pharex, a player in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years now, promotes its 34 products from different therapeutic categories, using one brand name, “Pharex.” This lessens their marketing costs including advertising.

“Consumers can easily ask prescriptions of Pharex medicines from their doctors and find them in any drug store nationwide. All they have to do is ask for Pharex medicine for head ache, fever or a Pharex vitamins. They don’t have to remember many names but Pharex,” Agana said.

He revealed that the company is now looking at strengthening its relationship with Cebu, being an important market next to Metro Manila. Pharex looks at Cebu, which constitutes a large clientele of doctors, pharmacists and drugstore owners, as an integral part of its nationwide advocacy of bringing quality healthcare to Filipinos.

This is why Pharex joined GMA Kapuso Foundation’s (GMAKF) “Kalusugan Karavan” medical mission held at barangay San Nicolas’ sports complex yesterday. The activity aimed to serve the medical consultation needs of some 1,500 Cebuanos. During the activity, Pharex also distributed free medicines ranging from anti-hypertensive, anti-infective, expectorant, anti-ulcerant, oral anti-diabetic, cold preparations, vitamins and minerals.

Pharex has renewed this year its partnership with GMAKF as part of Pharex’s commitment to be at the forefront of educating Filipinos about high-quality, affordable medicines.