DOH, DTI impose price freeze on medicines in areas under state of calamity

MANILA (UPDATE) — A price freeze on 148 essential medicines is now in effect in areas declared under a state of calamity, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Thursday.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the freeze, implemented in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

"'Yung gamot pina-pa-prize freeze din namin para di magtaas at 'yung mga opportunista na tinataasan '_ung gamot pag ganitong mahirap ang supply," Herbosa said.

Some of the medicines covered by the 60-day price freeze include vitamins and minerals, medications for electrolyte, acid-base, and caloric disturbances, diuretics, cardiac drugs, and other essential treatments.

Consumers are advised to report any cases of overpricing through the following hotlines:

• DOH Hotline: (02) 8651-7800

• DTI Hotline: 1-384

Herbosa also visited the Tondo Medical Hospital in Manila and assured that all government hospitals remain functional and are on Code White Alert, meaning emergency teams are on standby.

He emphasized the importance of power supply, noting that without electricity, hospitals cannot conduct X-rays, ultrasounds, or lab tests.

"We're now looking also at energy supply of our hospitals kasi pagka bumagyo, sympre pwdeng magkaroon ng brownout at blackout so we're making sure we have backup power supply," he said.

According to Herbosa, the Department of Energy (DOE) has deployed teams to hospitals to conduct energy audits.

Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the bureau is monitoring prices in all calamity-affected areas to make sure that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities are stable and fair.

The price freeze is in effect in the provinces of Cavite and Bataan, the cities of Marikina, Las Piñas, Manila, Quezon, Malabon, Cebu, Meycauayan, and Dagupan, and in 19 municipalities across Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal, Batangas, Palawan, and Antique. 

"We want to make it clear: no Filipino should be left behind during difficult times,” Roque said.

Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act mandates a 60-day freeze at the prevailing prices of essential items such as canned sardines, processed milk, instant noodles, bottled water, bread, coffee, and detergent upon the official declaration of a state of calamity in an area.