DTI: No price increase of select medicines

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned pharmaceutical companies and drug stores against taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing medicine prices. 

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said pharmaceutical companies and drug stores should observe the maximum retail prices of particular medicines issued by the Department of Health. 

“Yung gamot na part sa listahan na iyon ng DOH, dapat manatili ang price nila. Bawal ang price increase (The medicines listed by the DOH should retain their prices. Price increase is prohibited),” Lopez said during the Laging Handa virtual press conference on May 16.

The secretary said his department will immediately conduct an investigation on pharmaceutical companies and drug stores reported to have violated the said DOH directive. 

Lopez however clarified that the DTI will not stop pharmaceutical companies and drug stores from imposing reasonable price increases on medicines that are not covered in the DOH list especially those that were manufactured abroad.

He also emphasized that the suggested retail price (SRP) of medicines and other basic commodities should remain unchanged in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has placed the National Capital Region (NCR), Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales, Angeles City and Laguna under MECQ.