Department of Health (DOH-7)Health officials debunked notions that generic drugs are of lesser quality than their branded counterparts as they emphasized that using generics has actually reduce the prices of medicines especially branded drugs.
DOH-7 Chief of Regulatory and Licensing Division Dr. Angelita Salarda said government is promoting the use of generics in order to provide the public with an option as generic drugs are more affordable and offers more savings compared to their branded counterparts.
The health official said prices of medicines in the country is four to seven times higher than our Asian neighbors while the Philippines is second to Japan with very expensive costs of drugs.
DOH-Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD-7) Head Monina Coyoca on the other hand, said government physicians are required to prescribe generics to their patients while private medical practitioners should likewise prescribe generic drugs but can place brand names in parenthesis.
The DOH recently signed an agreement with the Cancer Warriors Foundation to invest P20M for the purchase of generic anti-cancer medications. The move is seen to benefit children with leukemia.
This year’s celebration of Generics Month carries the theme “We Love generics: Join Our Generation!” (PIA/FCR)
