Angara encourages use of generic drugs

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today reasserted the importance and benefits of generic drugs to ensure adequate supply of medicines and encourage a rational system of procurement and distribution of drugs. September has been declared as Generic Drugs Month.

Angara noted that there is a very small number of Filipinos who have regular access to medicines, considering the high cost of medicines. Generic drugs have been helpful in getting more people access to lifesaving drugs, said Angara.

"Some 70 percent of 85 million Filipinos today have no regular access to medicines. But because of generic drugs, Filipinos can secure lifesaving drugs which are sold at cheaper and affordable prices," said Angara who created the Generics Law in 1988.

However, Angara also noted, some international pharmaceutical companies are promulgating the myth that cheaper generic drugs are less effective and even harmful.

"We have to continuously educate the public on the Generics Law-that generic drugs are as effective as branded drugs, and that generic drugs contain scientifically-and-internationally recognized active ingredients determined by the Bureau of Food and Drugs and the Department of Health," Angara suggested.

The Generics Act of 1988 prompts a system of incentives to those who will use generic terminology in the manufacture, marketing and sales of drugs and medicines.

The law orders doctors to write the generic names of drugs in their prescriptions to give patients cheaper alternatives to the branded and expensive medicines.

Angara is also the father of PhilHealth, and author of the law which provides for senior citizens discount on medicines, among others.