PRESS RELEASE
16 APRIL 2008
Multi-sectoral coalition, Cut the Cost, Cut the Pain Network (3CPNet) express its dismay on the recent statement of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo over the non-inclusion of the generics only provision amending the 20 years old Generics Act of 1988.
“While the 3CPNet commends the President’s appeal to hasten the passage of the long-overdue legislation, we are disappointed with her outright desire to remove the generics act amendments, a provision that can increase the patient’s compliance to their perescribed medication and their chances of recovering from their illness,” said Edeliza Hernandez, Co-Convenor of 3CPNet.
“Generics answer the affordability dilemma that blocks the availability and access of medicines to many of us. Right now, all of the basic commodity prices are going higher and higher. Deleting the generics only provision would be adding another burden to Filipinos.”, Hernandez continued.
Hernnadez recounted that there should have been no impediments to the passage of the bill since the first meeting of the bicam. It was the Senate who actually held it hostage in the Bicameral proceedings. Both Houses then were amiable on a three-year delayed implementation of the said provision to ensure the quality of generics while strengthening BFAD.
“The Senate panel, particularly Sen. Pia Cayetano made a lot of unfounded objections, impossible qualifiers and other conditions including writing of additional 3-5 brand names on the prescription which further delayed it. If it wasn’t because of them, we will already have that law”, Hernandez furthered.
The Senate and the House bicam committee had already synchronized the final version of the bill during the first bicameral conference committee, except for the generics only provision which was strongly supported by the lower house.
“Passing an imperfect law, without the Generics Act provision, would mean the need to fix it later on. This of course, would again take up much of the taxpayers’ time and money. With the Palace finally dropping the generics proviso, 3CPNet hopes that Malacañang do the same or more vigor as the legislative probes on the scandals of this administration”, Hernandez concluded.
