Medicines (AFP file photo)
MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday encouraged the public to buy more generic medicines as it announced that the prices and generic counterparts of branded drugs can now be checked through the eGovPH app, which now features the agency’s Drug Price Watch platform.
“You can now find the prices of medicines that you need as well as its corresponding generic product—where you can save by up to 90 percent because of its lower price despite being as effective as branded medicines,” the DOH said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
Article continues after this advertisement
The eGovPH app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play, serves as a one-stop shop for government services, with the goal of enhancing transparency and reducing bureaucratic red tape.
READ: DOH launches drug price watch website
Through the app, users can access the Drug Price Watch platform of the DOH simply by logging on and clicking the “NGAs” (National government agencies) icon on the dashboard. From there, users can search for the DOH to access the agency’s available services.
It can also be accessed through the link: https://dpw.doh.gov.ph/
The Drug Price Watch “is an online platform designed to help consumers conveniently access information on drug retail prices in their area,” according to the site’s About page.
Article continues after this advertisement
In the site, users can enter the name of the generic or branded medicine that they are looking for and their location. The Drug Price Watch site will then show the nearby pharmacies currently selling the given medicine alongside its corresponding prices.
The DOH said it is urging consumers to buy more generic medicine in compliance with the Universal Health Care Law, which seeks to provide Filipinos access to affordable yet effective medicine. This initiative is also in support of the Generics Act of 1988, the agency added.
Article continues after this advertisement
The department also reminded consumers to follow the prescription of their doctors when buying medicines. /apl
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.