After the implementation of the Executive Order 821, the Cheaper Medicines Law, consumers indeed find less financial burden from the medicines they buy in drugstores.

Cynth Vie who refused to give her full name told the DAILY STAR that when she bought Lacipil , a first-line agent in controlling hypertension and Diovan another drug used to treat hypertension, she was able to get discounts for both medicines.

The original prices of Lacipil and Diovan's were P42 and P86, respectively. When she bought the medicines last Monday, from a local pharmacy, she was able to get 24 percent and 12 percent discounts on each medicine.

She said her mother has been taking these medicines as maintenance for her high blood pressure and she was glad of the discounts she got recently.

Mercedita Palma who was buying Carbocisteine for his son noticed the reduction in the price cap. Palma said she used to buy this for P80 and now it has reduced to P76.

Thought she only saved P4, she told the DAILY STAR that it is much better than no discount at all. If this will continue, many people will benefit, especially those who are less fortunate, she added.

Maria Regina Salve Cababat who works in the Our Lady of Mercy Hospital told the DAILY STAR that she cannot attest if the prices were really reduced.

Regina said she uses her privileges in the hospital whenever her family needs medical attention and medicines, and charged it to her salary.

Milagros Albo also said that it does not matter to her whether the prices were lowered as long as it can provide remedy to the patient. *LTG

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