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3CPNet’s Response to PMA Statement on Generics Prescription

For the past weeks, the Philippine Medical Association has been bombarding the media with threats of a hospital holiday. The group had strongly opposed the Generics only prescription of House Bill No. 2844 or the Cheaper Medicines Bill.

We, in the Cut the Cost, Cut the Pain Network (3CPNet) fully support the Generics Act amendments particularly the provision for prescribing in generic names only. Generic drugs are beneficial to patients particularly those who have been practicing under medication to compensate for their inability to purchase sufficient medicines for their diseases. 3CPNet believes that with the generics only prescription, poor patients will have increased compliance with their prescribed treatment by purchasing affordable generic drugs rather than its expensive branded drug equivalents.

Being patients ourselves, we are disappointed that the said doctors would be so concerned about how the generics act amendment will violate our trust should they prescribe a drug that according to them is ineffective. We do not understand that, while 30% of Filipinos do not have regular access to medicines, our physicians are seemingly preoccupied with the violation of the patient’s trust instead of the lack of access to their prescribed medicines.

We are also appalled by the gall of these doctors who threatened to conduct a hospital holiday just to delete the generics only prescription in the cheaper medicines bill. Such attitude clearly shows that in spite of their “well-meaning” pronouncements of “First Doing No Harm”, they would go as far as holding the public hostage to protect their own self serving agenda.

Instead of mobilizing doctors for a massive boycott, the Philippine Medical Association should work with the advocates in ensuring that their patients receive the best treatment possible at an affordable cost. Let these doctors be reminded that while they are preoccupied with fears about generic and cheaper medicines, indigent patients are being deprived of their right to have access to safe and affordable medicines.

Reference: Candy Diez (0906) 320-5690 / (02) 439-1376

So the public may know!

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