The outgoing members of the 13th Congress were urged today by AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros to throw away the animosities, division and bitterness spawned by the 2007 polls and unite for the passage of the cheaper medicines bill.
"We hope that the 13th Congress would end in a more productive tone, not only through the consistent presence of a quorum for the remaining session days but also through the approval of the cheaper medicines bill," AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros said.
"The passage of the bill would be seen as a meaningful gift of Congress to the Filipino people on its centennial," Rep. Hontiveros said. "It's also chance to redeem itself from a public that has consistently viewed Congress with objection."
Prior to the recess, the legislators were unable to pass the bill due to intense lobbying from multinational pharmaceutical companies. "The ruckus caused by the unethical behavior of anti-cheaper meds lobbyists demonstrates the extent that profit-driven multinational pharmas are willing to pursue just to block the bill. We will not allow the same behavior to impede on the legislative process again," Rep. Hontiveros said.
The solon, one of the principal authors of the bill, pointed out that representatives from different NGOs and senior citizens organizations would be present during session hours to guard the process against unscrupulous and unethical actions that multinational pharmas may commit this time. "For sure, these well-heeled lobbyists would use the quorum to block the bill's passage. We cannot afford to lose a single day, so we have to make sure that Congress is able to exercise its duty independently," Rep. Hontiveros said.
The bill seeks to lower the price of medicines by amending the country's intellectual property law. The bill allows for compulsory licensing and parallel importation to increase access to essential medicines in the Philippines, which has one the highest price of drugs in Asia.
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