By NONETTE BENNET
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY – Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center has complied with the Department of Health order to hospitals and pharmacies for half the price on essential medicines since August 15, said OIC- BGHMC Medical Chief Jimmy Cabfit during the BGHMC Advisory Board meeting on August 19.

Medical Social Worker Dolores B. Beniahan reported that some of the 27 beneficiaries of the medicine fund had a monthly per capita income of P986.76 below the United Nations observed $30 minimum income to live decent lives in third world countries.

The maximum drug retail price (MDRP) order on essential medicines issued by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III took effect Aug. 15 that reduced by half the price of medicines in the hospital. Dr. Cabfit said that the compliance on generic medicines was done but there were some drugs that were priced higher than 50% ordered by DOH.

Mr. Ram Sharma, BGHMC Board member asked about the rebates for medicines priced more than 50%. Dr. Cabfit noted that the rebates would be the problem because rebates can be given to the patients only after the drug companies certify their inventory of the available medicine. Sharma observed that medicine from India cost 20% of existing prices in the Philippines and that medicines could be purchased from there.

Chairman Joseph Rulla said that the new DOH order would see more needy patients assisted by the BGHMC AB medicine money of P20,000. The 27 assisted monthly could be doubled.

Beniahan reported that of the beneficiaries were eight children, 16 adults and three senior citizens assisted for the month of July. There were 19 beneficiaries from Baguio and eight from other provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Among them are 11 families who are casual laborers, three laundry women, two farm laborers, one scavenger, and others. She notes that their per capita income in June was 1,094.32. # nordis.net