PHARMACEUTICAL GROUPS BACK PROPOSED GENERICS BODY

The Philippine Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (PCPI) has expressed support for the formation of a government interagency committee on generic drugs development, saying this would help the growth of Filipino-manufactured generic drugs.

PCPI also backed the inclusion of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in the proposed committee, which will be headed by the Department of Trade and Industry and com- posed of representatives from the Department of Health, Intellectual Property Office, the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Finance.

Public benefit

According to PCPI, the FDA, “through Director General Nela Charade Puno, has been leading the way in instituting reforms that will benefit the public as well as the industry.”

“The FDA will certainly be an indispensable party in the envisioned interagency working committee,” PCPI said.

PCPI also called for the inclusion of a representative from the private sector in the committee.

The position of PCPI was contained in a memorandum to the Board of Investments (BOI), which will act as secretariat of the committee.

PCPI’s position was supported by two other large in- dustry associations–the Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association and the Chamber of the Herbal Industries of the Philippines Inc.

The planned creation of the interagency committee is contained in a draft executive order prepared by the BOI.

It aims to encourage the entry of more investments in generics drugs manufacturing and give Filipinos greater access to quality and more affordable generic medicines.