DoH pushes graphic health warnings

THE Department of Health (DoH) announced Monday an administrative order mandating the use of graphic health warnings on the packages of tobacco products despite strong lobbying from the tobacco industry to stop its issuance.

In a statement, the Department of Health (DoH) said the tobacco industry “has been attempting to derail this issuance and have been approaching politicians and other personalities in order to prevent the Department’s formal announcement alleging lack of consultation with them.”

DoH Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral said under Article 11 on packaging and labeling of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a three-year deadline from ratification was imposed and they are already two years behind schedule.

“Without preempting our formal announcement, what the Department intends to do is merely to comply with our obligations under an international treaty,” Sec. Cabral said. (PIA-Bohol)

DoH cautions against gov’t. partnership with tobacco manufacturers

THE Department of Health (DOH) strongly urged all government agencies to refrain from establishing partnerships with and accepting donations from tobacco manufacturers as this goes against the country’s commitment to the World Health Organization (WHO)

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral explained that these donations and partnerships are packaged as corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of the tobacco industry”,. She stressed that under Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, such CSR activities which involve the indiscriminate display of the tobacco manufacturer’s name or brand name may constitute a prohibited form of advertising.

She also reminded the public that RA 9211 also bans cigarette and tobacco companies from sponsoring any sport, concert, cultural or art event which will involve advertisements of their products. Despite these restrictions however, Secretary Cabral observed that it had not deterred the tobacco industry from advertising its deadly products, albeit through

alternative methods.

“A stricter implementation of RA 9211’s provisions on advertising and promotions which will plug the loopholes currently being used by the tobacco industry can help save a lot of lives in the future,” Cabral added. (PIA-Bohol)

DoH to Drugstores – Reduce your prices

HEALTH Secretary Esperanza Cabral reiterated on Monday that all drugstores and hospital pharmacies should comply with the Government-Mediated Access Price (GMAP) program of the government to help ease the burden of the poor in accessing medicines.

In August 2009, the DOH through its regional Centers for Health Development and in coordination with various agencies and institutions, implemented the first round of GMAP and the Maximum Drug Retail Price (MDRP).

On March 31, another set of 98 products were offered for price cuts under the GMAP initiative by eleven (11) manufacturing firms.

Penalties imposed on violators are based on Republic Act No. 9502 (Cheaper Medicines Law) and its Implementing Rules & Regulations.

As of April 6, 123 drug retail outlets and hospital pharmacies in Metro Manila (78 drugstores and pharmacies) and other regions (45) were found to have violated the MDRP and GMAP since their implementation in August last year. As a consequence, these outlets have already been issued Cease and Desist Orders. Administrative fines ranging from P1,000-P50,000 per drug violation for the GMAP and MDRP have been imposed. Repeated violations of the GMAP and the MDRP can incur penalties of as much as P50,000-P5,000,000 with accompanying suspension or revocation of their Licenses to Operate, depending on the gravity and extent of the violation. (PIA-Bohol)

DOH: Cheap meds law hapit na mapahimuslan

SA dili madugay, mapalit na sa kadaghanan ang barato nga tambal human ikapagawas ang Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) sa Cheaper Medicine Act, butyag sa Department of Health (DOH) sa ilang website.

Hinuon, matud ni Health Sec. Francisco Duque dyutay’ng pailob na lang samtang kinahanglan pang mapasunod ang normal nga proseso subay sa balaod.

Matud ni Dr. Duque, ang IRR magamandu sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) sa paghimo ug mas maayo nga mga sukip nga benepisyo ug mas dako ang ika reimburso sa mga pasyenteng migamit sa PhilHealth.

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Mobarato na ang tambal, DOH mipasalig

Sa paglagda sa Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) sa Cheaper Medicine Act, makasiguro na ang publiko nga mobarato na presyo sa tambal.

Mao kini ang gipasalig ni Kalihim sa Maayong Panlawas Francisco Duque sa ilang DOH website.

Matud pa ni Duque, gumigan sa IRR, maka-awhag kini sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) sa paghatag ug maayong serbisyo, lakip na ang pagos-os sa gastuhonon sa pag-“package” sa tambal aron mobarato na kini kon ibaligya sa publiko.

Tungod usab sa IRR, masiguro ang kaligdan ug barato ang mga tambal nga ‘generic’, ug mapalit na usab ang mga “over the counter” nga tambal sa mga ‘supermarkets’.

Gilagda-an ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang balaud sa Cheaper Medicines Bill niadtong Hunyo 6 ug ang IRR ma-implementar kinse diyas sugod sa pag-pasibya niini niadtong Nob 5. (PIA/Bohol)