SENATOR MAR ROXAS yesterday sponsored the consolidated version of the Quality Affordable Medicines Bill, which the Senate has ratified immediately after. "We are hopeful that this will lead towards the lowering of prices of medicines. This is not the be-all and end-all towards providing the people affordable and quality medicines and healthcare, but certainly this is an important and major first step," he said.

The said act did not contain the House versions' proposal to include a 'generics only' provision and the creation of the drug price regulatory board (DPRB). It was earlier reported that the House will not push for the 'generics only' provision but it was only a few days ago when word had spread that the draft to be presented to the bicam conference committee did not include the DPRB as well. As such, the new act encompasses that the President, upon the recommendation of the Health Secretary, is the only one who has the power to dictate the price of medicine when and where it is needed.

The Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 has already been ratified in the House of Representatives and the Senate and only awaits the signature of the President GMA. The new act is hoped to be signed by the President before Labor Day, which is tomorrow, to serve as a 'gift' to Filipino workers.


Transcript of Senator Mar Roxas' speech on the adoption of the bicam report on the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008.