The Department of Health (DOH) kicked off the celebration of the Generics Awareness Month on Tuesday, Oct. 17, marking the 35th anniversary of the Generics Law, which was enacted in 1988.
The month-long campaign aimed to promote the use of generic medicines and encourage collaboration among the DOH, healthcare professionals, private sector partners, and advocacy groups.
DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the crucial role of healthcare providers in dispensing medications and educating and advocating for the benefits of generic medicines.
“We must encourage our patients to seek generic medicines and to trust their efficacy, thereby strengthening the local capacity to produce generic medicines in the realization of the Medicines Access Framework—to ensure sustainable access to essential medicines and to reduce out-of-pocket spending aligned with the tenets of Universal Health Care (UHC),” he said.
The theme of this year's celebration, "Kalusugan ay palakasin, Generics ating tangkilikin" (Strengthening health, Supporting generics), is geared towards fulfilling the goals of the medicines access framework, DOH said.
It seeks to ensure sustainable access to essential medicines while strengthening local capacity for producing and distributing generic drugs and promoting their rational and optimal use, it added.
The department highlighted the successful campaign this year, which has been supported by DOH hospitals, Centers for Health Development, and drugstores, through various activities and events. (Zekinah Elize Espina)