Doctors: Look beyond dropping generics-only provision in drug bill

A group of doctors has urged President Arroyo not to limit herself to dropping the “generics-only” provision in the Cheaper Medicine Bill, saying that she needs to “overhaul” the entire pharmaceutical industry.

In a statement, the Health Alliance of Democracy (HEAD) noted that striking out the provision does not ensure affordable and efficacious medicine for Filipinos.

HEAD secretary-general Dr. Gene Nisperos claimed the country’s drug industry is “highly monopolized.”

“The unregulated industry has allowed the unscrupulous profiteering of big pharmaceutical companies at the expense of Filipino lives. Millions more will continue to suffer, be maimed, or die unnecessarily if the Arroyo government will not act,” he added.

Earlier, Mrs. Arroyo had urged legislators to drop the “generics only” provision in the bill to break the congressional impasse that delays the passage of the measure.

Under the provision, doctors will be allowed to prescribe only generic products. But this was strongly opposed by the Philippine Medical Association, claiming that it violates the doctors’ right to decide what is best for their patients.

Nisperos said the Arroyo administration should instead develop a “self-reliant” national drug industry and implement a national drug policy that is linked with the entire health care delivery system.

He maintained that efforts should begin with strong regulation “including but not limited to immediate drug price regulation or control.”

“If Mrs. Arroyo is sincere in making medicine truly affordable, she should not just wait for the bill to be passed. Otherwise, her announcement will just be another desperate attempt to win brownie points in the midst of the various crises currently rocking her administration,” Nisperos added.      – Sheila Crisostomo