[Ip-health] Philippine Internat. Trading Co. endorses bill to lower prices of drugs in the market

[Mike Palmedo]

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=3D34624

PITC endorses bill to lower prices of drugs in the market

By FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO
The Manila Time Researcher

The Philippine International Trading Co. wants to amend the Intellectual
Property Code so health authorities can conduct tests on medicines whose
patents are expiring to lower the prices of drugs in the country.

PITC president Roberto Pagdanganan said on Sunday that amendments to the
code would complement the government=92s parallel importation program,
which aims to make health-care goods and services available at
affordable prices.

In a statement, Pagdanganan decried attempts by certain "influential
groups" in the local drug industry that are opposed to importing "cheap
but quality drugs."

"Some people are flexing their muscles. This is pure greed exacted on
already harassed Filipino consumers," he said.

PITC operates a chain of drug stores nationwide dubbed the "Botika ng
Bayan," which offer commonly used drugs whose prices are several times
lower than those on the market.

Pagdanganan urged President Arroyo and lawmakers to certify as urgent a
bill proposed by Sen. Manuel Roxas III, which calls for amendments to
the code to promote fair and healthy competition in the pharmaceutical
industry.

He said the bill seeks to give people immediate access to generic
medicines in the local market once a drug=92s patent expires.

The patents laws in several countries allow the development, testing and
experimental work for the registration of a generic medicine during the
patent period of original product. But the local code doesn=92t have
similar provisions, Pagdanganan said.

He cited the case of Pfizer, a multinational drug company, which asked a
Makati Regional Trial Court to issue a temporary restraining order to
stop the PITCH from making, using or offering for sale or distribution
of any amlodipine besylate product.

The petition for TRO also sought to prevent the Bureau of Food and Drugs
from entering any applications for product registration on amlodipine
besylate covered by Pfizer patent.

Research conducted by PITC showed that Norvasc, which is produced by
Pfizer, is sold in the Philippines at prices 650 percent to 750 percent
higher than those in India.

The drug is priced here at P44.75 per 5mg tablet and P74.57 per 10mg tablet=
.

The same medicine is sold by Pfizer in India under the brand name
Amlogard at the equivalent of P5.98 per 5mg tablet and P8.96 per 10mg
tablet.



--
Mike Palmedo
Research and Web
Consumer Project on Technology
T =96 202-332-2670
F =96 202-332-2673
mpalmedo@cptech.org