NGOs raise 100-day challenge to implementation of Cheap Meds Law IRR; seeks importation of anti-cancer, critical ailments medicines

Consumer group Cut the Cost, Cut the Pain Network (3CPNet) and patient group Cancer Warriors Foundation urge the government to implement drug price cut measures contained in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Cheap Medicines Law during the first 100-days of its implementation.

The groups ask the Department of Health to identify patented medicines for cancer and other critical ailments that may be bought outside the country as these are reported to be not affordable and not available to poor patients.

“Aside from the importation, the DOH can start working on the monitoring of prices to help set the maximum retail prices of life-saving medicines,” said Edel Hernandez, Co-Coordinator of 3CPNet.

The IRR of RA 9502 or Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 allow private parties aside from the government to import more affordable and quality patented medicines through the Philippine International Trading Corporation Pharma Inc.

“The people deserve to have access to patented medicines from other countries that are priced lower than the same patented brand of medicines here. The ultimate test of the effectiveness of the law is to commence the implementation of the critical provisions that will give the people immediate relief,” said James Auste, spokesperson of CWF.

The groups were the proponents of the law during Congress deliberations and pushed for non-government organizations and civil society groups’ participation in drawing up a comprehensive and effective price monitoring and regulation system.

“People’s vigilant monitoring of prices of medicines particularly those that are unjustly high due to pharmaceutical companies’ greed for profit should start now,” added Hernandez.

The IRR defines the imposition of maximum prices at all levels of the supply chains including but not limited to manufacturer’s price, trader’s price, distributor’s price and wholesaler’s price, and retailer’s price.

The rules cite the medicines that will be subject to price regulation include treatment of chronic illnesses and life threatening conditions, such as, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, HIV-AIDS), among others.

The groups also ask the Intellectual Property Office to revise the Manual for Substantive Examination Procedures that guide patent examiners in the review and examination of patent applications.

“This document should be subjected to public hearing to ensure that the guidelines set are consistent with RA 9502 and its IRR,” said Hernandez.

The effectivity of the law is set to commence on November 22, 2008