DOH sets 60-day price freeze on essential meds

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has ordered a 60-day price freeze on close to 150 essential medicines following the declaration of a state of calamity in different areas in the country.

DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said a total of 148 essential medicines are covered by the price freeze in the areas severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Crising and Tropical Storms Dante and Emong.

“We have a price freeze for 148 medicines. This comes from the declaration of a state of calamity,”  Domingo said in an interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program yesterday.

“We have a law or policy that when an area is under a state of calamity, an automatic price freeze takes effect and pharmacies cannot increase the prices of the medicines listed,” he added.

According to the DOH, the drug price freeze will be in effect for 60 days, unless lifted earlier.

Medicines covered under the order include anesthetics, analgesics, antiasthma, anticoagulants, antidiabetics, antidiarrheals, antidotes, antiemetics, antihistamines, antihypertensives, antimicrobials, antipsychotics, antiseptics, cardiac drugs, corticosteroids, diuretics, insulin preparations, antifungals, and vitamins and minerals.

“There shouldn’t be an increase in the SRPs of these medicines. If anyone exceeds that price, the public can have it reported to the Food and Drug Administration or to the Department of Trade and Industry,” Domingo said.

At the same time, the DOH reminded the public that doxycycline, a medicine used to prevent leptospirosis, is not an over-the-counter medicine.

“Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat leptospirosis. The DOH advises the public to see a doctor for the correct prescription as to the use of this antibiotic,” said the DOH in a social media post.

“If taken incorrectly, it can lose its effectiveness against the bacteria, and simple illness might become difficult to treat,” said the DOH.

Meanwhile, Domingo noted that so far, only minor diseases were monitored to be affecting displaced residents staying in evacuation centers.

“We have just recorded minor cases like cough, colds, and other upper respiratory tract infections. There are no serious illnesses recorded, so far,” said Domingo in a televised public briefing.

“Doctors and nurses are ready in the health centers. There are 1,184 health personnel deployed. And this is only a preliminary number.”

Food prices stable

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said prices and supply of basic goods remain stable in areas placed under a state of calamity.

In a statement yesterday, the DTI said it has intensified monitoring efforts to ensure that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities remain unchanged and that supply is sufficient, particularly in areas under a state of calamity. The DTI’s regional and provincial offices are also stepping up their monitoring activities to prevent profiteering.

Under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, a 60-day freeze is automatically imposed in basic necessities in areas declared under a state of calamity.

This means essential items such as canned sardines, processed milk, instant noodles, bottled water, bread, coffee and detergent should stay at their prevailing prices.

Currently, the price freeze is in effect in the provinces of Cavite and Bataan; the cities of Marikina, Las Piñas, Manila, Quezon, Malabon, Cebu, Meycauayan and Dagupan; as well as 19 municipalities across Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal, Batangas, Palawan and Antique.

“We want to make it clear: no Filipino should be left behind during difficult times. Our monitoring teams are on the ground daily in all affected areas, from public markets to supermarkets to protect consumer welfare and ensure that prices of basic goods remain stable and fair,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said.

The DTI is reminding all businesses that any violation of the automatic price freeze is punishable by law. Penalties include imprisonment for one to ten years and fines ranging from P5,000 to P1 million.

Consumers can get in touch with the DTI for concerns and queries through [email protected] or the 1-DTI (1-384) hotline.

Calamity loan

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and its attached agencies have rolled out amortization payment moratorium and calamity loan for those affected by the successive typhoons.

In a statement issued yesterday, the DHSUD said its key shelter agencies – the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Housing Authority (NHA) and National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC) – have implemented a one-month moratorium on amortization payments for their beneficiaries in areas affected by typhoon.

Meanwhile, the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, has activated its Calamity Loan Program in all branches nationwide to serve typhoon victims. – Elizabeth Marcelo, Rainier Allan Ronda, Emmanuel Tupas, Louella Desiderio, Jose Rodel Clapano