Talisay SP backs DOH generic medicine drive

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City council supports the call of the Department of Health urging pharmacy owners and consumers to buy only generic medicines from legitimate manufacturers and distributors to ensure safety.

Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, chairman of the committee on health, supports the DOH move as the agency celebrates the Generics Awareness Month this September.

Aznar said that amendment to Republic Act 9502 or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 mandates that all government health agencies and their personnel as well as other government agencies shall use generic terminology or generic names in all transactions related to purchasing, prescribing, dispensing, reimbursing, and administering of drugs, and medicines.

Aznar said that under this law, all private medical, dental and veterinary practitioners shall prescribe in generic name; the brand name may be included if so desired.

It also states the consumers’ right to demand information on all generic equivalents available.

Under the law, “Any organization or company involved in the manufacture, importation, repacking, marketing and/or distribution of drugs and the medicines shall indicate prominently the generic name of the product.

In the case of brand name products, the generic name shall appear prominently and immediately above the brand name in all product labels as well as in advertising and other promotional materials. Drugs outlets shall post conspicuously a list of products with same generic names and their corresponding prices which shall form as a licensing requirement.” (FREEMAN)