Business World – October 8, 2007

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to increase the funding for community-based drug outlets by 50% to improve access to affordable drugs and to prepare for the passage of a measure that seeks to improve access to lower-priced medicines from other countries.

"We can make Botika ng Barangay the fastest growing drugstore chain in the country by increasing by 50% its branch expansion fund of P98 million for 2008 to P150 million. That augmentation would increase the number of Botika outlets to be established next year to 6,000 from the planned 3,913," she said in her arrival statement from a state visit to India.

"If this target will be met, there will be 13,514 branches by the end of 2008. The common man’s access to quality affordable medicine can only be made possible if [these outlets] are spread throughout the land."

The President said the country needs more community-owned pharmacies as it is anticipating the approval of the Affordable Medicines Bill and the participation of the private sector and local government units in the drug trade with India.

Last week, Mrs. Arroyo went to India for a two-day visit to witness, among others, the signing of an agreement between Indian firm Panacea Biotec Ltd. and the Philippines’ Specialty Clinic, Inc. The deal involves the importation and distribution of medicines and vaccines.

Currently, state-run Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) serves as the main importer of medicines from India in line with the government’s aim to cut by half the drugs commonly purchased by the poor.

"But PITC need not be the exclusive agent. We invited private drugstore owners, traders and local governments interested in acquiring affordable medicine to our state visit so they can do business directly with Indian corporations," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"The budget for [Botika ng Bayan] expansion, which we have amended to P150 million is part of the total medicine purchase budget for next year, is just part of the total medicine purchase budget for next year. The additional P52 million will be good for 2,000 branches."

In the same state visit, the President also reported before Indian businessmen the approval on second reading of Senate Bill 1658, which allows the parallel importation of drugs from countries that offer them at a much lower price.

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the President will certify the bill to fast-track its passage in Congress. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate vowed to pass the bill by Oct. 11.

The bill was bypassed in the 13th Congress due to the failure of the House of Representatives to muster a quorum to approve the bill.

The President also ordered the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management to sell PITC pharmaceutical products in its depots and commissaries. She said this will serve as a distribution point of cheap medicines.

Mrs. Arroyo likewise called for the establishment of the Botika ng Pamantasan (university drugstore) for students. — Alexis Douglas B. Romero