ADVOCATING FOR CHEAPER MEDICINES Despite the passage of Republic Act 9502 (An Act Providing for Cheaper and Quality Medicines) in 2008, it seems that cheaper medicines are still not commonly used in the Philippines. No, I am not saying that cheaper medicines are not available, because they are. Take note however that the law requires medicines that are not just cheaper, they also must be of good quality. Are cheaper yet quality medicines possible? Or is that not an oxymoron? As for me, it is possible, and it is not an oxymoron. The problem I think is in the interpretation of what it means. Usually, the term cheaper medicine is interpreted to mean generic medicine, but that is really a very shallow and limited interpretation. In truth and in fact, even branded medicines could become cheaper as they are, without reducing their quality. The key to that is the packaging, and their method of delivery or distribution. For example, many medicines are delivered in individually packed aluminum wrappers, and that makes the medicines more expensive. There are generic medicines that are of good quality, but the customers do not know what they are, or which is which. The solution perhaps is to publish a list of these quality generic medicines. Better still, redesign the packaging of all medicines, to make them cheaper. IKE SENERES/05-16-24