DOH freezes prices of 148 essential medicines in select areas

A three-month price freeze on more than 100 essential medicines in different areas in Luzon has been ordered by the Department of Health (DOH) following the devastating effects of Supertyphoon “Carina” and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

The DOH said the price freeze is being imposed on 148 drug products and medicines, including vitamins and minerals, and prescription drugs against asthma and hypertension, as they are considered among the basic necessities.

“Prices in an area or under a state of calamity or under an emergency shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices under automatic price control for a period of 60 days unless sooner lifted,” it said in an advisory on Friday.

Specified areas

The price freeze is in effect in Metro Manila and the provinces of Batangas, Bataan, Bulacan and Cavite, as well as the municipality of Cainta in Rizal province, and the towns of Pinamalayan and Baco in Oriental Mindoro.

The complete list of covered medicines can be viewed at DOH’s website and official social media accounts.

The DOH urged the public to report establishments violating the price-freeze order and are overpricing their products.

Reports can be coursed through DOH Hotlines: (632) 8651-7800 local 5003-5004 or (632) 165-364, or email at pddrugpricemonitoring@gmail.com.

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The public may also report these to the Department of Trade and Industry at hotline 1-384 or email consumer@dti.gov.ph.

Under the Price Act, penalties for price manipulation include imprisonment of five to 15 years, with fines ranging from P5,000 to P2 million.

Those found violating the price ceiling will face prison time of one year to 10 years, as well as fines ranging from P5,000 to P1 million. INQ