The signing of Executive Order 821 by President Arroyo prescribing a maximum drug retail price for some selected drugs and medicines. Its implementation is on August 15.
Republic Act 9502, or also known as the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, will provide access by the poor of affordable medicines for diseases that account for the leading causes of morbidity and is critical to improve the health and productivity of the Filipinos.
As part of this, Arroyo hiked the PHILHEALTH’s coverage so that 86% of the country’s population is now covered as compared to 36% before the President’s term and also the establishment of thousands of Botika Ng Barangay where prices of medicines were sold at lower rates to benefit the poor and marginalized sector of society.
Recently, the pharmaceutical companies voluntarily reduced the prices of 16 essential medicines heeding the President’s call for them to help in providing affordable medicines. (PIA)