“Access sa de-kalidad at murang gamot, gawin na natin!”
This is what Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee said as he filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1986 to conduct an inquiry on the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) No. 9502 or the “Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008” and RA 6675 or the “Generics Act of 1988” to help Filipinos make informed medical purchases and improve access to affordable and effective medications for all.
According to a study of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), out of more than 1,000 respondents of a survey, only 7% know the correct definition of a generic drug while 48% believed generics were less effective.
“Nakakabahala na may ganitong pagtingin pa rin ang marami nating kababayan sa generic medicines na de-kalidad at mabisa ring mga gamot. Ilang taon at dekada na ang lumipas sa pagsasabatas ng ‘Cheaper Medicines Act’ at ‘Generics Act’ pero hanggang ngayon, mas tinatangkilik pa rin ng marami ang di hamak mas mahal at branded medicines,” Lee said.
“Dapat mas agrisibo pa ang gobyerno sa pagsusulong ng wastong impormasyon at pagpapatupad ng batas para mapagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na para sa kanilang kalusugan,” he added.
As the country celebrates “Generics Awareness Month”, Lee urged concerned agencies mandated by law such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), to conduct a continuous information campaign and education drive for the public and medical professionals regarding the equal efficacy of generic medicines to branded medicines, including information on usage, effectiveness, and contraindications.
Lee earlier welcomed Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Memorandum Circular No. 93-2024 exempting 15 medicines for cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension, and mental illness from Value-Added Tax (VAT), underscoring that more efforts should be done to truly give Filipinos access to cheaper medicines.
It can be recalled that Lee filed House Bill (HB) No. 9924 or “VAT Exemption for Medicines Related to Cardiovascular Diseases Act”, mandating DOH to issue a list of all drugs and medicines directly related to the treatment and regular medication of cardiovascular diseases that will be VAT-free.
The solon from Bicol also filed HB 9797 or the “Free Medicine Act,” which seeks to establish a program in providing eligible beneficiaries free medicines through medical vouchers that will also be accepted or honored in private drug stores and establishments.
“Hindi biro ang pagkakasakit lalo na’t katumbas nito ang dagdag na gastos para sa pamilya. Mas mabigat na pasanin pa kung hindi makakapasok at hindi kikita. Kaya marami nating kababayan, kung hindi man hinahati o tinitipid ang gamot, ay hindi na lang bumibili at nararatay na lang sa kanilang bahay,” the lawmaker said.
“Tungkulin ng gobyerno na magpasa o epektibong ipatupad ang mga umiiral na batas para mawala ang takot at pangamba ng bawat pamilya sa pagkakasakit sa takot na lalong malubog sa utang dahil walang pambili ng gamot at pambayad sa ospital,” he added.
Lee, a staunch health advocate, fervently pushed for the 30% across-the-board increase in PhilHealth benefits implemented last February 14. This came after he revealed during the budget briefing of the PhilHealth last September 2023, that the agency had an enormous amount of available investible funds and income.
“Ang pondo para sa kalusugan, gamitin sa kalusugan!” he stressed as he recently urged the state health insurer to implement another round of 30% increase in all its benefit packages and coverage.
