Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare

Vietnam - Medicine prices on the rise again

Source: Thai News Service, 27 August 2009

Rising petrol prices and a higher exchange rate have put price pressure on the manufacture and import of medicines in Vietnam, and retail drug prices have been found on an uprising trend in August 2009. Pharmacies in the city have received several announcements from pharmaceutical companies about increased prices of many drugs since the beginning of August 2009.

Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd Co has announced an average 8% increase in the prices of 36 medicines compared to July 2009. The Merap Joint Stock Co. has increased the price of four types of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and stomachache treatment medicines. Solvay Co. has increased the prices of 10 products by 8-9%.

Philippines - Drug firms can't take back price cuts

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, 07 September 2009

The pharmaceutical companies in Philippines cannot unilaterally take back the voluntary price reduction offer for 38 medicines, as they are legally bound to honor the voluntary price cuts offered to the Department of Health (DOH) in August 2009. They need to ask for a review with the government, if the companies have setback in revenues.

Major drug companies, mostly belonged to the Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines, offered price cut on certain medicine products to dissuade Malacañang from approving the DOH's recommendation to impose a maximum retail price (MRP) on 21 commonly used but exorbitantly priced medicines. Although the drug companies offered 10-50% reduction on 22 other medicines out of the 16-medicine DOH list, they cannot stop Malacañang from issuing an executive order imposing an MRP equivalent to a 50% price reduction on five medicines in the original list. The mandatory and voluntary price reductions took effect 15 August 2009.

India - Pharma cos will require DCGI nod for exports

Source: The Economic Times, 07 September 2009

From October 2009, domestic pharmaceutical companies need to get the approval of central drug regulator Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to export medicines. The move is on the lines of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) directive that discourages multiple certifying authorities in one country.

DCGI has asked all state drug regulators to stop issuing export certificates, known as certificates of pharmaceutical product or COPP. It has also curbed state drug regulators' power for issuing WHO compliance certification for good manufacturing practices (GMP). It is now the sole authority to issue GMP certification. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the office of the DCGI, will issue certificates after inspection of manufacturing facilities by CDSCO regulatory officials.

Back to Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare