‘Drug firms lobbying to kill bill seeking to bring down medicine prices’

Multinational drug firms had lobbied for Congress to kill a bill seeking to bring down the prices of medicine in the country, a lawmaker claimed yesterday.

Speaking at the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel forum in Quezon City, Rep. Ferjenel Brion said he had received several invitations from officials and representatives of drug companies for a dialogue during deliberations on House Bill 6035, which was passed on second reading during a recent session in the House.

Brion, House of Representatives committee on health vice chairman, urged President Arroyo to call another special session for Congress to enact the bill.

Once passed into law, the bill would have a direct impact on the delivery of health services to the people, he added.

However, Manila Rep. Rodolfo Bacani said during the same forum that another special session is unlikely because the campaign period for the May 14 elections is fast approaching.

The lobby pressure by multinational companies was highlighted when one of their lawyers passed a note to a member of Congress suggesting that he raise the quorum issue to delay proceedings, he added.

Brion said the House’s version of the bill aims to allow the importation of cheap medicine and compel drug outlets nationwide to sell the imported but cheap medicines.

The Senate version seeks amendments to the Intellectual Property Law regarding the patent for drugs, which is "toothless" because it will not address the monopoly of imported and expensive medicine, he added.

The lobby was so strong that representatives of drug firms practically intervened in House proceedings, raising the possibility that some members of the committee might have some "understanding" with the drug companies, Brion said.

However, the Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) denied yesterday having tried to block the passage of House Bill 6035 last Feb. 20.

Noel Laman, PHAP spokesman, told reporters the bill seeking to lower the prices of medicine was passed on second reading despite the lack of quorum during the plenary session.

"It is not correct to say that the association attempted to block the passage of this important and landmark bill," he said.

"The concern of PHAP is that there must be safeguards within the law itself so that patient’s safety can be addressed."

Last Tuesday, two lawyers of PHAP were thrown out of the House session hall after they passed a note to Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin, asking him to question the quorum.

Locsin was asked to call up Leo Wassmer, PHAP executive vice president and chief executive officer, on a mobile phone number written on the note.

Laman said the PHAP "stand by" the two lawyers who were only deeply concerned that a law was to be passed with only a "handful" or 15 to 20 lawmakers on the floor.

The lawyers were also concerned because there were some amendments inserted in the bill that were not discussed at the committee level – one of them the creation of a price regulatory board, he added. – With Sheila Crisostomo