Price control on medicines needed

Editor's Note: Published on page A16 of the May 4, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE COLUMN of Neal Cruz last April 22, was really a knockout. His title, “A kind grandpa,” almost led me to skip it. Little did I realize when I read on that the surprise and excitement that I’d get every time I read his column were still there.

Cruz’s column was actually a response to a letter sent by a certain Leo P. Wassmer Jr. of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) who was reacting to Cruz’s earlier columns regarding the existence of a cartel in the pharmaceutical industry.

I had nothing but applause for Cruz in the manner he countered the defense of the PHAP. Any group trying to justify the unconscionable, unpardonable, heartless overpricing of drugs and medicines in this country, such as the PHAP, simply deserves the way Cruz treated it.

For one, if I may add to Cruz’s reaction, the name of PHAP is already a misnomer. Why would a group composed of pharmaceutical companies be concerned about health care when all its members care

about is how to maximize profits?

Secondly, if the PHAP really cares about the health and well-being of Filipinos, all it has to do is roll back the prices of medicines to realistic, if not affordable, levels.

And finally, how could we expect multinational pharmaceutical companies to care about the health of Filipinos when they are mostly foreigners doing business in the Philippines?

In my view, it’s about time we, Filipinos, give a serious thought to the idea of price controls in drugs and medicines.

The prices are simply too much. The people can’t take it anymore.

My suggestion is that Congress investigate the overpricing of drugs and medicines rather than waste so much time on non-relevant issues.

If I were President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, I would certify any bill in Congress calling for the imposition of controls in medicine prices and push for its passage as relentlessly as she is doing with the expanded VAT bill.

I can’t help but wonder who is advising the President, or has she become insensitive to the sufferings of our people?

ALLAN P. MORALES, Filinvest Subdivision, Quezon City (via e-mail)