Roxas, author of Senate Bill 2263 on affordable medicines, believes that enabling countries to import lower-priced quality medicines from its neighbors is a positive example of how governments can optimize globalization to benefit the poor.

The claim of certain drug multinationals that the bill will open the floodgates to fake drugs is unfounded because in the proposed measure, all imported drugs will still have to pass through the BFAD.

"I informed the head of the WTO that this legislation is in accordance with the Doha Round and TRIPS Agreement and conforms to existing practices followed by other countries."

Senators unanimously approved Senate Bill 2263 before the end of the regular session. Its House counterpart, HB 6035, was approved earlier on second reading in a controversial session where lobbyists from the pharmaceutical industry were ordered to leave the gallery.

Enabling countries to import lower-priced quality medicines from its neighbors is a positive example of how governments can optimize globalization to benefit the poor.

"We are thankful that international organizations have taken note of our efforts to bring down the cost of medicines through legislation."

In his letter to Senator Roxas, Dr. Jean-Marc Olive, WHO Representative wrote: "We would like to congratulate you for your outstanding leadership and steadfastness in the passage of the Access to Medicines Bill. This work is the first and most significant step not only towards improving the access to medicines to millions of Filipinos, but also in improving the health outcomes in our communities as well."

Director-General Pascal Lamy of the World Trade Organization noted that the passage of the bill was a "good thing" as it showed an ability to change previous rules in response to social needs.

He said the passage of SB 2263 co-authored by Senator Pia Cayetano and HB 6305 authored by Rep. Junie Cua and Rep. Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel would strengthen the hand of government in dealing with public health emergencies.

Senator Roxas and Lamy also discussed Asean economic integration, which the latter said was impressive as well as the need to curb smuggling of goods. "The government has not done enough to stop smuggling through our porous borders," the senator added.

"The challenge is on how to fight smuggling and differentiate legal trade from underground trade which drives some people to go against the idea of globalization," Roxas told Lamy.

The director-general said the WTO is now reflecting on whether informal trade should be put on its program.

Senator Roxas: "Amending the Intellectual Property Code to allow parallel importation of medicines is but the first step toward broader access to quality health care."