Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce chairman Mar Roxas said in a press release that despite the legislative lull due to the election season, there is a sustained effort to hasten the approval of Senate Bill No. 2263, an urgent measure aimed lower the prices of medicines.

Roxas said he and fellow legislators across party lines, their staff and various stakeholders, are in constant consultations in order to build a consensus on the lower-priced medicines bill.

Roxas said in the press release that the need of Filipinos for quality and affordable medicines is urgent and it is incumbent upon them as legislators to exercise political will and push for this measure within the present Congress.

A staff-level meeting will be held today to thresh out differences of the Senate and House versions in preparation for upcoming Bicameral Conference Committee meetings once session resumes on June 4, the press release said.

The Senate has approved Senate Bill 2263 on Third Reading on January 31, 2007. The House of Representatives, meanwhile, has passed its version -- House Bill No. 6035 -- on February 20, 2007.

The President has certified Senate Bill 2263 as urgent. The 13th Congress will resume on June 4, and will adjourn sine die on June 8, the press release also said.*

back to top