DOH Assures Stable Medicine Prices Despite Energy Crisis Fears
DOH – Amid growing concerns over a global energy crisis, the Department of Health (DOH) has stepped in to calm fears about rising medicine costs.
The Department of Health has assured the public that medicine prices in the country will remain stable despite concerns over a looming energy crisis linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
During the “Kapihan sa Manila Hotel” held on April 10, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa emphasized that there is no immediate cause for alarm when it comes to the availability and cost of essential medicines. “There is no problem with the supply of medicine. There is no problem with the price. We have [a] good inventory,” Herbosa said, reinforcing the agency’s confidence in its current stock levels.
To further ensure that prices remain fair and accessible, the DOH has begun a more proactive monitoring strategy. According to Herbosa, the agency is now conducting weekly checks on ten commonly used medicines, particularly those for hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and antibiotics. “Starting now, nagmo-monitor ako ng 10 gamot. I decided to monitor antihypertensive, antidiabetes, anticholesterol, antibiotic, at saka iba pa. Ten medicines ‘yon babantayan na namin weekly para makita natin na walang nagsasamantala,” he explained.
While the supply and pricing remain stable for now, the health chief noted a potential concern regarding international logistics. He pointed out that foreign pharmaceutical companies might impose higher transportation costs, which could indirectly affect local prices. “Our problem is what happens to the price if the companies abroad start charging for the transport. Kasi I don’t think most of the medicines are not affected naman by products from petroleum. But it will be affected with how you ship it,” Herbosa clarified.
Meanwhile, the DOH continues to implement the Cheaper Medicines Act, in coordination with local government units, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). This law mandates suppliers and pharmacies to submit their pricing data for public transparency.
“Mayroon tayong ‘Drug Price Monitoring Index,’ sa inyong kaalaman, the ‘Cheaper Medicines Act,’ mandated by the DOH, LGU, DTI, and DILG, to actually monitor the prices of common medicines,” Herbosa said. He added that this information is made accessible through the E-Gov app, allowing Filipinos to easily check medicine prices online.
“So, minomonitor namin ‘yan. Nagsa-submit ‘yung mga supplier, ‘yung mga botika, ‘yung mga pasyente, kung ano ‘yung presyo ng mga gamot at pina-publish namin’ yan. Makikita n’yo ‘to sa E-Gov. May drug price watch sa E-Gov., i-click n’yo lang ‘yon,” he added.
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