PITC to Pfizer: Help govt, withdraw case

SECRETARY Roberto M. Pagdanganan, chairman and president of the state-owned Philippine International Trading Corp., on Thursday dared Pfizer to withdraw the infringement case it filed against the PITC and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) if the firm is sincere in helping the government improve patients’ access to affordable medicine.
In a statement, Pagdanganan said that the government has been very consistent in respecting patent rights, adding that only products whose patents have expired are imported by the government through parallel drug importation.
The PITC imported only 80 samples of Norvasc (40 tablets of 5 mg and 40 tablets of 10 mg) from Pfizer in Pakistan in December 2005 to comply with the requirement for product registration preparatory for importation once Pfizer patent expires on June 13, 2007.
“Instead of harassing the PITC and the BFAD, Pfizer should explain to the people why Norvasc [amlodipine besylate] manufactured in the Philippines is priced at P44.75 per 5 mg and P74.57 for 10 mg while in Pakistan, where it is also manufactured by Pfizer, the prices are only P8.74 and P17.09, respectively,” Pagdanganan said.
Norvasc, a drug to control hypertension, is being used as maintenance medicine by thousands of Filipinos.
Pagdanganan said that the drug firm should stop “misinforming” the public that the PITC is importing its Norvasc from unauthorized sources in India and Pakistan because the truth is that what it has imported also came from Pfizer and the only difference is the price.
He said that the government has been telling Pfizer that it will not import Norvasc until after the expiration of its patent, and this was included in the affidavit submitted with the Makati Regional Trial Court where the infringement case against the PITC and BFAD is being heard.
“How can they claim that they are just protecting their patent when time and again the PITC made it clear that the government is committed to protect patent rights?” Pagdanganan asked.
Pfizer, in a statement, insisted that its suit is intended to protect, and not to extend, its patent.
“This is simply a matter of protecting, not extending, our patent for amlodipine besylate through its expiration date. Protecting intellectual property rights is critical to the research and development process and the safety of patients,” Pfizer said.
The patent infringement case filed March 1 aims to prevent PITC from marketing, distributing and selling Pfizer’s patented compound amlodipine besylate, marketed under the brand name Norvasc. -- Jonathan M. Hicap

MIAA steps up efforts against terrorist attacks

Thursday, June 29, 2006

THE Manila International Airport Authority has come up with an idea to enhance intelligence-gathering, step up the anti­terrorism campaign, and stop theft and swindling committed against arriving and departing passengers.
General Manager Alfonso Cusi on Wednesday announced the creation of the Airport Security and Services Center, which will serve as the nerve center for police, security, safety and intelligence activities in the airport. The center will replace the airport security center, which was created under Executive Order 125.
“The center reflects our greater concern for and commitment to better airport services,” he said.
Cusi discussed with officials ways to carry out Administrative Order 151, issued by President Arroyo to define the MIAA’s powers. The officials included Undersecretary Cecillo Penilla of the Office of Transport Security, Ferdinand Sampol of the Bureau of Immigration, Director Andres Caro of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group and District Collector Ricardo Belmonte of the Bureau of Customs.
MIAA consultant Tirso Serrano presented the detailed work plan to implement the order including program settings, interagency coordination and assessment, and policy reforms.
The goal, Serrano said, is to rid the airport of graft and corruption by adopting good governance and efficient operation. The priority is to stop extortion, evasion of fees and actual theft.
The MIAA assured airport-based government agencies that while work flows and office procedures would be speed up to improve services, there will be no diminution of their functions.
For their part, the agencies asked Cusi to improve air conditioning, refurbish immigration booths, and set up sleeping quarters for screeners of airport baggage. -- Jonathan M. Hicap

COA hits book unit’s excessive spending

By Jonathan M. Hicap, Reporter

THE Commission on Audit has berated the National Book Development Board for “excessive” expenses on food, cell-phone cards and appliances in violation of the austerity measures imposed by President Arroyo on all government offices.
In its latest annual audit report covering 2005, the commission said the book board incurred “unnecessary expenses” that could have been avoided had the board “exercised prudence in the use of its funds.”
The commission cited the food expense, which totaled P370,923.36 in 2005, “representing cost of meals in management meetings.” It noted that meal costs for “board meetings reached as high as P603.26 per participant, which is excessive.
“This practice also violates COA Circular 85-55A, dated September 8, 1985, which provides for the regulations on the prevention of irregular, unnecessary, excessive or extravagant expenditures or uses of government funds and property,” the commission said.
The commission also noted that the board also used prepaid cell cards worth P407,388.96, which is 21 percent higher than the 2004 cell-card expenses of P335,667.00.
It also scored the book board for buying seven air conditioners totaling P134,365 and a TV set worth P32,990. These again, the commission said, were “unnecessary expenses,” since the “air conditioning is properly functioning and there is no need for another television set.”
“The total cost of this equipment amounted to P167,355, which the board could have saved and used for other more productive purposes,” the commission said.
It also said the book board incurred unliquidated cash advances worth P325,930.45.
It also took the board to task for “irrelevant training and seminars attended” by its officials amounting to P164,627.75.
The Times called the National Book Development Board office, but board Chairman Dennis Gonzalez was not in. A staff member in Gonzalez’s office took the cell-phone number of this reporter, saying he would give it to Mr. Gonzalez so he could return. Gonzalez had not returned The Times’ call at press time.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

‘Drug tests to remain private’

By Jonathan M. Hicap, Reporter

THE Commission on Higher Education on Monday assured college students of the confidentiality of the results of the random drug tests it planned to conduct soon.
The commission, which is enforcing the program this school year, said the results—whether negative or positive—will not be made public. It said only the students concerned and their parents would be informed about the outcomes.
Students who refuse the test will be sanctioned, the commission said, although it declined to say what the penalties would be.
Students found positive of drug use in the initial and confirmatory tests will be required to go through a three-month observation and counseling program supervised by the Department of Health.
The commission said in no case would the result be used as basis for expulsion.
Originally scheduled in 2003, the random drug tests were dropped for lack of funds. This year, however, the government released, through the health department, P1.5 million for the purpose.
In April representatives from the National Youth Commission, National Antipoverty Commission, student sector and colleges agreed to carry out the tests.
Under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, high-school and college students are required to have random drug tests.
The guideline requires that the commission and the Dangerous Drugs Board shall notify the college or university whose students are to be tested. The students will be selected through a lottery, and the test conducted that very same day.
To ensure the accuracy of the test, the student will be asked to reveal the medicines, vitamins and food supplements he or she has taken in the last five days.

DepEd says sex-lesson guide for tutors, not students

By Jonathan M. Hicap
Reporter

THE Department of Education has clarified that the lesson guides on sex education that were ordered recalled were meant for teachers and not students.
“Contrary to some reports, the use of the lesson guides on adolescent reproductive health has been put on hold while consultations with some sectors are being arranged,” Hidalgo said.
The Catholic Church had protested the use of the guides.
The lesson guides were issued to the Parañaque High School and Pateros National High School, which served as the pilot schools for the implementation of the program.
Earlier this week, Hidalgo recalled the guides and ordered a detailed evaluation and additional consultation. Only 40 guides had been distributed to the teachers in the two schools.
“Besides putting the use of these lesson guides on hold, they are also being reevaluated based on the feedback from concerned individuals and groups. It should be emphasized however that these lesson guides are meant for teachers, and not for use by students,” she said.
Hidalgo said the department welcomes the concern of the Church, which is the reason why the department is asking for a consultative meeting with Church officials, as well as with Dr. Angelita Aguirre of the Makati Medical Center since she, too, had raised several concerns over the lesson guides.
“We share the Church’s concern over such a sensitive issue and we hope that we can work things out with them in relation to the issue,” Hidalgo added.