by SC Aro

Baguio City (29 August) -- Some medicines considered as most prescribed addressing top leading causes of death and illnesses can now be availed of at reduced prices.

These medicines are covered under Executive Order 821 which prescribes Maximum Drug Retail Prices (MDRP) for selected drugs and medicines which took effect last August 15, 2009, according to Department of Health Cordillera Regional Director Myrna Cabotaje.

EO 821 is under Republic Act 9502 otherwise known as the "Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008" or the Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008.

The five essential drugs under the MDRP are as follows: Amlodipine for hypertension; Atorvastatin for anti-cholesterol; Azithromycin as antibiotic/antibacterial; Cytarabine and Doxorubicin and all its salt form both for anti-neoplastics/anti-cancer.

There are additional 16 medicines dubbed as Government Mediated Access Price (GMAP) namely ; Telmisartan and Irbesartan for hypertension; Clopidorel for anti-thrombotic; Gliclazide for anti-diabetic/antihypoglycemic; Piperacillin plus Tazobactam and all its salt form; Metronidazole and all its salt form, Ciprofloxacin, Co-Amoxiclav (Amoxicillin plus Clavulanic acid) for antibiotic/antibacterial; Bieomycin and all its salt form, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Mercaptopurine, Methotrexate and Mesna for anti-neoplastic.

Cabotaje said as high as 50 percent price reduction of these medicines could be availed of with the implementation of such order. She said drugstores are required to post in their respective establishments the list of medicines with their corresponding prices and dosages adding that they can go below the prescribed prices but not over.