DOH, DTI impose 60-day price freeze on 148 essential medicines

The Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have implemented a 60-day price freeze on 148 essential medicines in areas declared under a state of calamity.

This price freeze, in effect for 60 days, covers commonly used treatments for infections, hypertension, diabetes, and other critical illnesses.

The measure aims to ensure the continued availability and affordability of life-saving medications and prevent price gouging and profiteering during times of crisis, in accordance with Republic Act 7581.

The DOH urged the public to check the complete list of medicines covered by the price freeze by scanning a QR code in official DOH materials or visiting the DOH website.

The public is urged to report any instances of overpricing to the DOH or DTI hotlines.

Additionally, the DOH issued a public advisory against the unsupervised use of doxycycline due to rising health risks from recent flooding and continuous rainfall.