Cost of diabetes drugs, 100 others seen to decrease due to price cap

Filipinos should expect a decrease in prices of over a hundred drugs as the executive order implementing a maximum retail price (MRP) on these medicines takes effect.

According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras," Executive Order 104 puts an MRP over medicines used to treat hypertension, diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases.

The EO has imposed an MRP of P33.83 per tablet regardless of the brand.

"Ipinatupad po natin ang maximum drug retail price scheme na nag-impose ng 50 percent price reduction sa 21 gamot," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

"Ngayon po, sa bisa ng Executive Order 104, ang 50 percent price reduction ay applicable hindi lamang po sa 21 gamot kung hindi po sa 87 generic drugs para sa iba't ibang seryosong karamdaman," she added.

The DOH said the lower prices of medicine will help ease the burden of Filipinos, especially those impacted by the COVID-19 quarantine measures. 

"Nakakatulong po minsan kung wala po pambili kaya sa center po ako kumukuha," Francis Fernandez, a diabetic patient, said.

"Lockdown po tayo kasi ngayon kaya wala po pambili," he added. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News