PHAP denies P1-B lobby fund — ‘we’re bound by stringent code of ethics’

The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) and its members, which include both local and multinational healthcare companies, are deeply concerned about allegations and insinuations made in public that we mobilized an estimated P1-billion lobby fund in a bid to stop the passage of the bill, which sought to lower the prices of drugs.

Through this position statement we categorically state that such allegation is untrue, unfair, and without factual basis. We firmly deny the existence of the alleged P1-billion lobby fund.

All the activities of our member companies are bound by a stringent code of ethics, and which necessarily includes the need to strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulations. In addition, most PHAP members are governed by US and European laws, which dictate strict compliance with the domestic laws of the countries where they operate or do business.

With respect to the legislative measures to improve Filipinos’ access to medicines, we would like to express our consistent position that:

• We support proposals that will improve access to medicines by the public and the general healthcare situation of the country. Many of our member companies have in fact introduced lines of low-priced medicines and medication programs that aim to make long-term medication affordable while at the same time maintaining the highest quality standards to ensure that such medicines are safe and efficacious.

• We support the full implementation of the Generics Act and the efforts to strengthen the capability of local generic manufacturers to provide alternative quality medicines to Filipinos.

• We encourage initiatives that will expand the capability of the local pharmaceutical industry to increase local manufacture not only of finished products but also of raw materials which in the long run will lead to the improvement in the exports industry and eventually to advantageous economies of scale for the Philippine pharmaceutical industry.

Consistent with the foregoing, we raise our concerns about proposals that may lack of sufficient safeguards to ensure that only the highest quality medicines are made available to the Filipino public. In particular, we are always alarmed about measures that may lead to the proliferation of counterfeit medicines, which definitely pose serious threats to public health and safety

Finally, like any other proposals, any proposal relating to medicines deserve well-studied considerations to determine its full ramifications to legitimate stakeholders and to the Filipino public in general as well as to the existing laws and international commitments of the Philippines.

PHAP and its member companies firmly believe that the objective of improving accessibility to medicines can be achieved without compromising public health and safety and the Philippines’ obligations under binding international agreements.

To achieve such objective, we are more than willing to work with legislators, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders. We have repeatedly initiated discussion and dialogue with concerned organizations and individuals regarding this, which unfortunately was misconstrued as something else.

It our hope that this position statement will put to rest any allegation that attempts to undermine the reputation of PHAP as well as the good business practices and code of ethics of its member-companies. — LEO P. WASSMER JR., Executive Vice-President and CEO, The Pharmaceutical and Health Care Association of the Philippines (PHAP)