As the Philippine government pursues its goal to make healthcare more accessible, RHEA Generics stands as a beacon of hope, championing access to essential medications for all Filipinos. Their recent Generics Awareness Month 2024 event, partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) and Mercury Drug Corporation, underscored their commitment to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions. The event, held on September 24th at the Mercury Drug Q-Plaza Branch in Cainta, Rizal, focused on the theme “Generics para sa kalidad na alaga at ginhawang abot kaya!”, emphasizing the importance of making essential medications accessible, affordable, and available to Filipino families.
The celebration was attended by notable figures including Mr. Neogin Evangelista, President and General Manager of PHILUSA Corporation, Ms. Johanna Mallari-Abella, Unit Head of the Policy, Program Development and Research Unit of the DOH, and Mrs. Corazon Sy Lim, Vice President of the Merchandising Division at Mercury Drug Corporation, among others.
Speaking about the importance of generic medicines, Ms. Lim remarked, “Today, we gather to commemorate the importance of generic awareness and its impact on our daily lives.” Generic medicines, which contain the same active ingredients as their branded counterparts, have long been integral to ensuring that even low-income families can access the medicines they need without sacrificing quality.
Ms. Mallari-Abella added, “Hindi natin kailangan ng mamahaling solusyon sa ating kalusugan. With our annual celebration of Generics Awareness Month, we aim to raise public awareness on the value and benefits of generic medicines, which offer affordable solutions for managing health conditions without sacrificing quality.” This message aligns with the global movement towards making healthcare more affordable by promoting the use of generics.
Meeting International Quality Standards
One of the persistent misconceptions about generic medicines is the notion that they are of lower quality than branded alternatives. Mr. Evangelista addressed this during his speech: “Access to healthcare is not a privilege but a right of every Filipino. Kaya po kami sa PHILUSA, we are dedicated to ensuring that this right is realized by every Filipino family. Itaguyod po natin ang generics.” He emphasized that RHEA Generics meets the same international standards as branded medications. Regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) ensure that generics undergo rigorous testing to guarantee their safety and efficacy.
RHEA Generics, a pioneer in the field even before the implementation of the Generics Act of 1988, has continuously provided affordable yet high-quality medicines for conditions such as epilepsy, thyroid issues, and gout, as well as vitamin supplements. “Epilepsy, thyroid problems, gout, even vitamin products po, madami ang RHEA, all priced affordably for Filipinos,” Mr. Evangelista said, reinforcing the company’s long-standing commitment to affordable healthcare.
Aiding Public Health through Collaboration
The celebration saw participation from various community groups, including members of the Manggahan Pasig City PWD Association, Karangalan Senior Citizen Group, and Women’s Unity Empowerment Federation Inc. RHEA Generics provided free consultations and health services, further demonstrating their commitment to healthcare accessibility.
Unified Support for the Universal Health Care Act
This collaboration between RHEA Generics, DOH, and Mercury Drug Corporation reflects a unified effort to support the Universal Health Care Act, ensuring that all Filipinos have access to world-class, affordable medicines.
In conclusion, this event is a testament to the collective effort to promote generic medicines as a solution to healthcare challenges in the Philippines. By working together, RHEA Generics, the DOH, and Mercury Drug Corporation aim to create a more informed and health-conscious community, ensuring that every Filipino has access to high-quality, affordable medicines.
RHEA Generics are available at Mercury Drug Store branches nationwide. RHEA Generics products is a homegrown brand of Philusa Corporation and a pioneer in the generics industry with more than 40 years of experience in producing world-class quality and affordable healthcare products.