PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 280 - 16 Sep 2000 Drug price ceiling warranted in Philippines? The local price of 22 essential drugs widely used in the Philippines is reportedly 6 times higher than the price in India, according to the results of a survey from the Philippine Departments of Health and of Trade and Industry. 1 Philippine prices for some formulations of certain antibacterials were 3 to 16 times higher than in India, while the monthly cost of a multi-drug regimen for tuberculosis was more than twice the price reported in India. The results of the survey reinforce the government’s argument for importing selected essential drugs from India, for use in state hospitals in the Manila area. Pharmaceutical companies may also be called upon by the Department of Trade and Industry to justify drug pricing levels. Meanwhile, the president of the Philippine Senate, Franklin Drilon, is willing to consider a price ceiling for pharmaceuticals, in a move to keep drug prices in the Philippines in line with other Asian countries. 2 However, he points out that a price ceiling would be a last resort. The Senate committees on health and trade have been charged with investigating the country’s high drug prices, with a view to implementing legislation that will make drugs more affordable. 1. Philippine prices high, govt says. Scrip : 20, No. 2570-71, 1 Sep 2000. 2. Philippines drug price ceiling warning. Marketletter 27: 15, 4 Sep 2000. 800763764 1 PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 16 Sep 2000 No. 280 1173-5503/10/0280-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved

Drug price ceiling warranted in Philippines?

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 280 - 16 Sep 2000

Drug price ceiling warranted inPhilippines?

The local price of 22 essential drugs widely used in thePhilippines is reportedly 6 times higher than the price inIndia, according to the results of a survey from thePhilippine Departments of Health and of Trade andIndustry.1

Philippine prices for some formulations of certainantibacterials were 3 to 16 times higher than in India,while the monthly cost of a multi-drug regimen fortuberculosis was more than twice the price reported inIndia. The results of the survey reinforce thegovernment’s argument for importing selected essentialdrugs from India, for use in state hospitals in the Manilaarea. Pharmaceutical companies may also be calledupon by the Department of Trade and Industry to justifydrug pricing levels.

Meanwhile, the president of the Philippine Senate,Franklin Drilon, is willing to consider a price ceiling forpharmaceuticals, in a move to keep drug prices in thePhilippines in line with other Asian countries.2 However,he points out that a price ceiling would be a last resort.The Senate committees on health and trade have beencharged with investigating the country’s high drugprices, with a view to implementing legislation that willmake drugs more affordable.1. Philippine prices high, govt says. Scrip : 20, No. 2570-71, 1 Sep 2000.2. Philippines drug price ceiling warning. Marketletter 27: 15, 4 Sep 2000.

800763764