Vice Gov. Jose Baldado yesterday called on the solons of Negros Oriental to come up with measures to strengthen agencies tasked to monitor the kind of medicines sold in the market.

The  Bureau of Food and Drugs in the Negros Oriental presently has only one employee, who oversees Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces.

He stressed the BFAD should be given enough teeth, personnel and budget if the doctors’ concerns against the “only” provision of the cheaper medicines bill, have to be addressed.

The Philippine Medical Society-Negros Oriental chapter headed by Dr. Kenneth Coo clarified that some drugs are life-saving.  Some have adverse reactions if sub-standard medicines are used, he said.

“If a patient dies, the doctor’s prescription is at stake,” Coo pointed out.

We’re not objecting to the cheaper medicines bill, but what we want is cheaper, but effective medicines, he added.

Dumaguete Councilor Noel de Jesus, a doctor by profession, said he

has observed that the introduction of the Generics Act of 1988 has led to the influx of lower-costing medicines, as well as making the country a dumping ground for generics and fake medicines.

Dr. Ely Villapando of the Integrated Provincial Health Office said it is the right of the physician to issue the prescription, and that, some pharmacies have no qualified pharmacists and it is possible that very low efficacy medicines are sold at a higher prices.*JG

back to top