A proposed legislation to provide free medicines for the poor who cannot
afford needed drugs despite the existence of the law on cheaper
medicines has been filed in the House of Representatives.
Under House Bill 3753 or the Free Medicines for the Poor Act, Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas said he sought to improve access to medicines and quality health care, especially by Filipinos in the lower income bracket.
The bill mandates for the nationwide establishment of a Free Medicine Assistance Program to be administered by the Department of Health through government district hospitals, local health units and barangay health centers.
It also restricts the “Libreng Gamot” program only to qualified poor beneficiaries certified by the barangay officials and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“Low-income patients have no choice. Either they are left untreated or face high, out-of-pocket expenses for medicines,” Vargas said.
The solon blamed flaws in the country’s health system, including the lenient implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Act, for the inaccessibility of cheap and quality medicines.
Vargas, a senior member of the House Committee on Health, cited a 2011 study that identified insufficient access to low-priced, safe and quality essential medicines as among the social and economic difficulties faced especially by poor Filipinos.
The study observed that medicines are only available 33 percent of the time and that medicines covered by PhilHealth are often not available in authorized outlets.
Vargas also quoted the World Health Organization in explaining that simple essential medicines can effectively treat illnesses cited as the major causes of death in low-income countries.
“Through this initiative, we are giving the less-fortunate better chances of survival from curable ailments, thereby improving their health and well-being overall,” said Vargas.
During the 16th Congress under the previous administration, the House passed two health care bills that also cater to improved access to medicines:
- House Bill 5178, which aims to strengthen the Philippine Comprehensive Policy on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention, treatment, care and support, and establishing the Philippine National HIV and AIDS Plan
- House Bill 5955, which aims to establish a free Basic Medicine Assistance Program in all government health facilities nationwide
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