Pharmaceuticals

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Manuel Roxas II wants President Arroyo to shed light on reports that pharmaceutical companies have brought their lobbying against the implementation of the Cheaper Medicine Law right to the doorsteps of Malacañang and with the help of a presidential adviser.

PRESIDENT Arroyo has given pharmaceutical firms until July 18 to cut the prices of essential drugs by 50 percent or more as dictated by the Cheaper Medicines Law, an official said yesterday.

FOREIGN businessmen have called on the Philippine government to reconsider the imposition of a maximum retail price (MRP) on medicines under Republic Act 9502, or the Act Providing for Cheaper and Quality Medicines.

LOCAL medicine makers and distributors expect sales to grow 12 percent this year despite the global financial crisis following the entry of more generics, an official said yesterday.

MANILA, Philippines—The emergence of various types of health supplements has adversely impacted the growth of the local pharmaceutical sector, according to an industry executive.

MANILA, Philippines – Sales of medicines and other pharmaceutical products are expected to go up by five to six percent this year, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) said yesterday.