Health-care access amid rising oil prices
The increase in oil prices has been a headline for several days. It has brought fast-paced adjustments to the lives of many Filipinos, from changing transportation modes to adjustments in work schedules, all in the name of conserving energy. And, most recently, the price increase prompted President Marcos to declare a state of national energy emergency.
Now, we underscore Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa’s warning that this increase will inevitably lead to higher medication costs and rising hospitalization expenses if proactive measures are not taken. As energy costs surge, so too do the operational expenses of health-care facilities, pharmaceutical production, cold-chain logistics, and transportation systems that ensure the timely delivery of essential medicines.
This would mean disruptions and inefficiencies in the supply chains that dictate medicine availability and accessible patient care. Ultimately, this increases out-of-pocket health-care costs, delays treatment, and increases the risk of disease progression. Historically, shortages of medical supplies have even led to the postponement of lifesaving medical procedures, further compounding health risks for vulnerable populations.
Beyond immediate access issues, these pressures may also widen existing health inequities, disproportionately affecting low-income households that are least able to absorb rising costs. Patients managing chronic conditions may face interruptions in treatment adherence, while health-care providers may be forced to make difficult decisions in resource allocation.
We call on policymakers and the DOH to enact timely and responsive measures to ensure that medicine availability, affordability, and health equity are prioritized during this period of uncertainty. We also call on them to make use of the underutilized expertise of pharmacists in supply chain management to assist efforts to stabilize the country’s medicine supply.
Bill Whilson Baljon and Adrian Chester Uy,
billwhilson@gmail.com
