THE Department of Health (DOH) has assured the public that there will be no increase in the prices of medicines in the country, despite the logistical and transportation challenges exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo stated in an interview that Filipinos can expect stable medicine prices at least until June 2026. He acknowledged that the conflict has impacted various sectors, including the prices of vegetables and other goods, but emphasized that medicine prices remain unaffected for now.
Undersecretary Domingo explained that the government is prepared to absorb any potential additional costs that might arise due to increased logistics and transportation expenses.
“It’s not just medicine; all of it will follow, including vegetables, and even other items will be affected because of the Middle East conflict. The prices of medicines will not increase,” he stated, reassuring the public of the DOH’s proactive stance. This preparedness extends to potential price hikes that might occur by July, with the government ready to provide financial support.
The DOH highlighted the role of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) as the government’s financing arm in the health sector.
PhilHealth is capable of adjusting benefits to cover any unforeseen increases in the cost of medicines and medical supplies. This measure would be implemented once thorough discussions and validations with the pharmaceutical industry are completed, ensuring that any declared price adjustments accurately reflect actual operational costs such as salaries, electricity, and fuel.
This assurance from the DOH aims to alleviate public concern regarding the accessibility and affordability of essential medicines during a period of global instability. By proactively addressing potential price increases and having a financial mechanism in place through PhilHealth, the department is committed to ensuring that the healthcare needs of Filipinos remain a top priority, even amidst challenging geopolitical and economic circumstances.
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