Inspect pharmacies on drug price cuts

Senior citizens and other consumers are asking the Bureau of Food and Drugs to check if pharmacies are complying with Republic Act 9502 or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, which cut prices of essential drugs by 50 percent effective August 15 for large size drugs stores.

But Vicky Sibala of the local BFAD is still awaiting for the guidelines from the regional office before she could conduct checks on drug stores and hospitals.

In Negros Oriental, except for Mercury Drugstore, all the other pharmacies are considered small and medium size and are expected to implement the price reduction on September 15.

Mr. Felino Valencia of Mercury Drugstore said some the medicines available with reduced prices are the following: Envacar, Norvasc, Lipitor, Zithromax, Ciprobay, Plavix, Augmentin, Pterin, Adriblastima, Daonil, Purinethol, flagyl, Tazocin and Micandris. These drugs are used to treat infections, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and lower cholesterol.