1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Rationale of the Study

The Philippines has more expensive drugs than in other countries in Asia and in

countries of similar economic status (NEDA, 2008; PIDS, 2011; Elchico, 2012). Almost

eight out of ten Filipinos have economic difficulties to purchase their medication (WHO,

2012). Since standard treatments with brand-name drugs require several day’s up to

weeks’ worth of wages (Rivera, 2011), five to six out of ten Filipinos now take generic

medicine (Herrera as cited by Sauler, 2013; Picazo, 2011) because it is now significantly

cheaper by more than 50 percent compared to its branded counterparts (Ona, 2013).

Republic Act No. 9502, otherwise known as the Universally Accessible Cheaper

and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, provides the rules and regulations for the

development and promotion of low-cost but quality medicines. Section 2 of RA 9502

supports the declaration of the state policy which seeks: to protect public health and

when the public interest or circumstances of extreme urgency so require, it shall adopt

appropriate measures to promote and ensure access to affordable quality drugs and

medicines for all.

It is an act amending for the purpose of Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual

Property Code, Republic Act No. 6675 or the Generics Act of 1998, and Republic Act

No. 5291 or the Pharmacy Law and for other purposes.

The said act was deemed a ray of hope for the Filipino poor (Elchico, 2012).

Reodica (2013) said that the generics law faced resistance from multinational companies

2

and the private sector but strategies to make people aware and give them informed

choices on medicines had made generics acceptable, affordable and accessible. With

this, the prices of more than 200 medicines have already been reduced (Tayag, 2013).

Today, the market share of generic medicine is 60 percent.

While this is believed to be so, no systematic study has yet been conducted to

determine the college students’ perceptions on the effectiveness of the Universally

Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act particularly at Davao Oriental State

College of Science and Technology (DOSCST). This prompted the researchers to

conduct the study with the end goal of assessing the effectiveness of the

aforementioned act as perceived by DOSCST students.

3

Significance of the Study

Access to affordable yet quality medicines is a key issue to poor people. But

treatment courses using generic medicines in public facilities are generally affordable

based on the salary of the lowest paid government worker (Rivera, 2011). With this, the

services of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) were being strengthened to face

the continuing challenge of ensuring low-cost but quality medicines (Herrera as cited by

Sauler, 2013). This is due to the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines

Act of 2008.

Moreover, the study’s main objective reflects to the results in which will be useful

to academic, health and social sectors of locale specifically to the DOSCST; to the

implementing Local Government Units (LGUs) of Davao Oriental; and to the Philippine

Government.

Results of the study would also serve as feedback to the implementing agencies

of the program. To the Department of Health (DOH), this would serve as bases for

improvements and refinements for its succeeding implementation models, thus enabling

its planners to work out better options in the future. Likewise to the sub-agency of the

DOH, the PhilHealth, this would provide an avenue for better design and direction of

their development framework, strategies and approaches in program implementation.

The same as to the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education, the

results would be a great access for future adjustments or future additional programs.

4

Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study was to find out the assessment of

effectiveness of Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 as

perceived by DOSCST students.

Specifically, it aimed to meet the following narrowed objectives:

1. To determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents;

2. To determine the communication tools employed in the introduction of the

said act;

3. To identify the benefits caused by the act and the significant changes on the

respondents’ quality of life in terms of Social Adequacy; and

4. To indicate the comments on the implementation of the said act.

5

Scope and Limitation

This research was limited to the assessment of effectiveness of the Universally

Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 as perceived by DOSCST

students. Specifically, this was concerned to determine the socio-demographic

characteristics of the respondents; to know the communication tools employed in the

introduction of the said act; to identify the benefits of the act and the significant changes

on the respondents’ quality of life in terms of Social Adequacy; and to indicate the

comments on the implementation of the said act.

The respondents of the study were those recorded officially enrolled students of

DOSCST by the registrar as of second semester of academic year 2013-2014.

The results of this study depend on the answers of the respondents based on the

questionnaires given by the researchers.

This study was conducted from May 20-31, 2014.

6

Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Intervening Variable Dependent Variable

Fig.1 Conceptual Framework showing the independent variable is the implementation of the Universally Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008 and the intervening variable is the DOH, BFAD, Botika ng Barangay, Drug Pharmacy and Media. Lastly, the dependent variable is the perceived quality of life of the DOSCST students.

The figure shows how Universally Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008 affects the

quality of life of the DOSCST students in terms of social adequacy with intervening

variable. This implies that differences of the effects may be concluded through

determining the intervening variable.

Implementation

of the

Universally

Cheaper

Medicines Act of

2008

DOH BFAD Botika ng Barangay Drug Pharmacy Media

PERCEIVED QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE

DOSCST STUDENTS

-SOCIAL >Health >Nutrition

>Household Efficacy

7

Definition of Terms

Medicine - the art or science of restoring or preserving health or due physical

condition, as by means of drugs, surgical operations or appliances or manipulations.

Effectiveness - the degree to which objectives are achieved and the extent to which

targeted problems are solved. In contrast to efficiency, effectiveness is determined

without reference to costs and, whereas efficiency means "doing the thing right,"

effectiveness means "doing the right thing."

Social Adequacy – means ensuring that all covered workers and their families enjoy

adequate basic protection from a number of outsourced hazards.

Communication Tools - tools used depend on the strategic goals, the objectives of

the communication program, the profile of the target audience, the various advantages.

Media - the means of communication that reach large numbers of people, such as

television, newspaper and radio.

Household Efficacy - the accomplishment of or ability to accomplish a job with a

minimum expenditure of time and effort in a household.

8

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents a review of related literature which are found useful in the

development of this study.

Related Literature

Today’s Filipino poor are often frustrated in their health care because of the

exorbitant medicines available in drug pharmacies and outlets nationwide. The economic

status of most Filipinos affects the quality of life which in turn affects their behavior.

Citing an ASEAN survey, the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) said

that the retail prices of medicine in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are 40 to 70

percent lower than in the Philippines. Moreover, five out of every nine medicines in the

Philippines cost more than in Malaysia and Indonesia (NEDA, 2008). Often this problem

arises from no concrete health law and poor market share of generic medicines, which

are deemed to be cheaper, can cause worse health-related scenarios. There are

numerous health-related scenarios –producing factors related to social adequacy. These

are the lack of services from health authorities, frequent occurrence of sickness in the

family and poor nutritional status among its members.

The percentage of the population below the national poverty threshold declined

from 45.3% in 1991 to 32.9% in 2006. However, as a result of the global financial and

economic crises of 2008, soaring food and fuel prices in 2007-2008, natural disasters

caused by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in September and October 2009, and the recent

El Niño phenomenon in 2009-2010, the poverty level has worsened, reversing the

declining trend achieved prior to 2006 (WHO, 2011). This puts the country on an

9

uncertain track to reach the target of 22.7% below the national poverty threshold by

2015.

According to WHO (2011), among poor families, 65% of family heads have only

an elementary education, 29% do not have access to safe water, and 24% do not have

sanitary toilets. In June 2010, 21.2% of the households surveyed nationwide by Social

Weather Stations reported experiencing hunger in the past three months. That rate was

higher than hunger rates reported in the same month of each of the previous seven

years. In fact, reported hunger rates increased successively in each of those years.

Ona (2013) cited that the long list of discrepancies and inefficiencies from the

manufacture, distribution, pricing, prescription and using of regular drugs prompted the

government to institute a comprehensive national policy on pharmaceutical production

and consumption. Generic drugstore Generics Pharmacy leads the pack with 1,300

branches nationwide, followed by Generika and Botika Pinoy. Thus, the generic

medicines’ awareness level for Greater Manila Area was placed at 65 percent, with

Luzon at 48 percent and the Visayas and Mindanao at 53 percent (Herrera as cited by

Sauler, 2013).

Another factor such as the corruption in the health care sector and the poor

implementation of strategies in a health care program are also influencing the prices of

medicines in the Philippines (European Commission, 2013). On the basis of the study,

six typologies of corruption in the healthcare areas have been identified: bribery in

medical service delivery; procurement corruption; improper marketing relations; misuse

of (high) level positions; undue reimbursement claims; fraud and embezzlement of

medicines and medical devices.

10

Bribery in doctor to patient service delivery is the most visible form of corruption

in healthcare. In the area of medical devices and pharmaceuticals, procurement

corruption and improper marketing relations appear to be the most prevalent types of

corruption.

Villar (2012) said that regulatory boards and price referencing on medicines

should be established. He also proposed that removal of value-added tax on medicine to

further lower its prices and that the medicines for cancer shall be free. He believed that

the budget can suffice his proposal.

According to WHO (2011), eight of the 10 leading causes of morbidity in 2008

were infectious in origin, namely: acute lower respiratory tract infection and pneumonia,

acute watery diarrhea, bronchitis/bronchiolitis, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, acute

febrile illness, and dengue fever. The country faces a double burden of disease with

the majority of the 10 leading causes of morbidity being communicable diseases and the

leading causes of mortality in the country being mainly non-communicable diseases. If

expensive medicines continue to exist, the projected life expectancy of Filipinos of 73

would be decreased.

According to WHO (2011):

“Undernutrition remains a major public health problem in the Philippines, linked

principally to high levels of poverty. One out of every four Filipino children below 5 years

old is underweight and stunted.35 While the prevalence of underweight children declined

from 34.5% in 1990 to 24.6% in 2005, a rate that had been on track to meet the MDG

target of 50% by 2015.”

11

Related Studies

In the study of ADBI (2013), it tried to determine how to reduce the poverty

among Filipino households through programs. The study showed that during the 1st

semester of 2012, on the average, a poor family of five members needed a monthly

additional income of PhP 2,292 to move out of poverty or approximately 29.3% of the

poverty threshold.

Blanco (2012) produced a study to determine on how the implementation on the

prices of medicines works. In his study, Maris Escatoto, a 21-year-old call center agent,

suffers from lupus nephritis, a kidney disease. In order to curb further complications, she

has to keep up with treatment. She is already suffering from hypertension, high blood

cholesterol and gout. Escatoto revealed that her illness worsened because her family

could not afford her maintenance medication. One of her prescriptions is azathioprine,

an immunosuppressant drug that she needs to take thrice per day. It costs at least P40

per piece.

Research conducted by WHO (2011) found out that series of legislative and

policy actions adopted over the past two decades have had defining impact on the

Philippine health sector. An underlying characteristic of the change has been a shift of

emphasis to systemic approaches to health sector development, with attention to sector-

wide issues of equity and efficiency, including health care financing. It includes the

following: (1) Generic Drugs Act of 1988, promoting the use of generic drugs, including

mandating prescription in generic form; (2) Local Government Code of 1991, devolving

public responsibility for much of health care to local governments and transferring

corresponding shares of the national health budget to LGUs; (3) National Health

12

Insurance Act of 1995, introducing mandatory health insurance and universal coverage

with subsidized premiums for the poor and creating the Philippine Health Insurance

Corporation (PHIC), also known as PhilHealth, to manage the national health insurance

programme.

Picazo (2011) conducted a study on the role of private sector in health care. He

found out that the sales of pharmaceuticals in the Philippines are conservatively

estimated at Php100 billion annually, with 70 percent being accounted for by

multinational firms. About 80 percent of the sales are in drug stores, 10 percent in

hospitals, and 10 percent in other retail outlets. Out of total sales, 63 percent comes

from a major pharmaceutical chain, 17 percent comes from the combined sales of all

other small independent pharmacies, 7 percent comes from private hospitals, 2.5 comes

from public hospitals, 10 percent comes from other private outlets, and 0.5 percent

comes from other public outlets. Thus, the private sector as a whole holds an inordinate

share of the market while the public sector is a very minor financier and purchaser.

In this study, the private sector dominates the health care being the larger holder

of stocks compared to public sector. Drugs are a requirement for almost all modern

health care. Drugs account for about half of household health spending among Filipinos.

Although pharmaceutical reimbursements of the social health insurance program

(PhilHealth) remain small relative to its members’ needs, they already account for 30

percent of its total payouts. There remains a large unmet need for drugs which has not

been quantified.

In a study by NEDA (2008), the Department of Health (DoH) and Department of

Trade and Industry (DTI) adopted the Parallel Drug Importation Program in 2000 which

13

made available certain drugs at 60.9 percent lower than other medicines in 2004.

Parallel drug imports (PDIs) are drug products manufactured in a third country and sold

in the Philippines at a much lower price compared with the drugs being sold by local

manufacturers here. As a result, the prices of essential medicines decreased by an

average of 41 percent in 2006, according to the updated MTPDP 2004-2010. The cheap

imported drugs are distributed through the network of Botika ng Barangays to increase

availability of and access to lowpriced quality essential medicines. These Botikas are

government-licensed drug outlets that sell cheaper medicines to the poor. Nationwide,

the number of BnBs rose to 7, 437 from 4,738 in 2005. The BNBs, on the other hand,

increased its distribution network from 1,016 outlets in 2005 to 1,283 outlets in 2006.

14

CHAPTER III

MATERIALS AND METHODS

On this chapter, locale and respondents of the study were identified. The number

of samples was also determined. Research design, instrument and methods of data

analysis were also identified.

Research Locale and Duration

This study focused on the students of Davao Oriental State College of Science

and Technology (DOSCST). Thus, the respondents of this study constitute the whole

frequency of students from the said school.

Moreover, DOSCST is situated in Guang-guang, Dahican, Mati City.

Fig. 2 The map of DOSCST that serves as the locale of the study

15

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of this study are represented by the students from the

DOSCST. They must be at least recorded officially enrolled as of the second semester

of academic year 2013-2014 by the registrar. The respondents must have at least 1 year

of stay in the said school.

Sample

The study consisted of 100 DOSCST students sampled from different

departments.

Research Design and Procedure

The study is qualitative in nature. A descriptive survey method of research was

used in the study as it determined and described the current perceptions of DOSCST

students on the effectiveness of the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality

Medicines Act of 2008.

With this research type, it is essential that the researchers already have a clear

view of the phenomena being investigated before the data collection procedure is carried

out. The researcher used this kind of research to obtain first hand data from the

respondents to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the

study.

Focus interviews were conducted to verify further the respondents’ answers and

supplement their answers.

16

Research Instrument

This study used the structured questionnaire as the main instrument in gathering

the data. In structured questionnaire, both qualitative gathering of data was done. The

questionnaires were self-administered to the respondents for them to answer the items

and to guide the respondents in open-ended questions part. The original questionnaire

was made for the enrichment and specificity of the data needed.

The questionnaire was also composed of close-ended question. It was divided

into two parts: Socio-Demographic Profile and Communication-Related.

For the verification of the data, focused group discussion (FGD) was the second

research instrument. Questions for this instrument were fastened in structured

questionnaire. Answers in FGD supported the answers in the main instrument.

Methods of Data Analysis

The gathered data were analyzed through the use of statistical tools such as

frequency counts, percentages and mean.

Gender of the respondents

Male

Female

64%

36%

17

Fig.3 Gender of the respondents in the locality

This figure above emphasizes on the gender of the respondents. Majority of them

were females. The female is more socialized compared to male, meaning they

possessed connections directly to others through verbal activities. Even though female

respondents dominate this research, 36% of the total sample was played by males.

Age of the respondents

The diagram shows the age of the respondents as of totality. This was based on

the respondents who were asked through questionnaires administered by the

researcher.

Fig.4 Age of the respondents in sample size

The figure above explains about the age of the respondents. It shows that

majority of the respondents was aged in 18-20 with the percentage of 74. On the other

hand, 17% of the respondents were aged 15-17 years old. Moreover, 3% were on their

21-23, 24-26 and 27 and above years of age respectively.

17%

74%

3% 3% 3%

Age

15-17 18-20 21-23 24-26 27-Above

18

Civil Status

The diagram shows the civil status of the respondents in the school. As

expected, most of the respondents were single.

Fig. 5 Civil Status of the respondents in total sample size

The figure above elucidates the civil status of the total respondents. It shows that

most of the respondents were single with 98% of the slice. There were 2% of married

respondents. They are already parents of one to two children. On the other hand, there

were 0% of the total sample were widowed.

Year and Course

The diagram shows the year and course of the respondents in the school.

Civil Status

Single

Married

98%

2%

19

Fig. 6 Year and course of the respondents in sample size

As what the above figure shows, most of the respondents are BEED-3 with 18%.

15% of the total sample was under BSEDE-3. 6% of the sample size was from BSBA-3

and BSC-1 respectively. The slices of BSMBF-3 and BEED-2 comprise 5% each of the

total pie. 4% was from BSEDM-3 and BSEDM-4 respectively. The BSEDBS-3, BSEDBS-

4, and BSEDE-2 got 3% each. 2% each was for BSEDBS-2, BPE-SPE-2, BSCE-1,

BSCE-2, BSCE-3, BSAM-3 and BSC-2. The rest have 1% each.

2% 3% 3%

3%

15%

4%

4%

2% 1%

1%

5% 18% 1% 2%

2% 2%

1% 1%

1%

1% 1%

5%

2%

1% 1%

2% 6%

1%

1%

6%

2%

Year and Course BSEDBS-2 BSEDBS-3 BSEDBS-4 BSEDE-2 BSEDE-3 BSEDM-3 BSEDM-4 BPE-SPE-2 BPE-SPE-3 BPE-SPE-4 BEED-2 BEED-3 BEED-4 BSCE-1 BSCE-2 BSCE-3 BSCE-4 BSCE-5 BSBio-2 BSBio-3 BSMBF-2 BSMBF-3 BSAM-3 BSAM-4 BAT-4 BSHRM-4 BSBA-3 BSIT-4 BSIT-3 BSC-1 BSC-2

20

CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Through the objectives of the study, the results and discussions filled,

emphasized, and even implied that the data presented here have really been gathered.

I- Socio-demographic characteristics of the Respondents

The population size (100) was identified from different departments. As for

totality, figure 2 shows that majority of the respondents were female, then the remaining

were male. Meanwhile, Figure 3 emphasizes that most of the respondents were aged

eighteen to twenty years old (18-20) while the second to the majority were on their some

of them were on their fifteen to seventeen (15-17). In terms to their civil status, majority

of them were single as shown in figure 4. As to the year and course, Figure 5 elucidates

that most of the respondents were BEED-3.

Table 1. Frequency and Mode/Mean Distinction of the Socio-demographic

characteristics of the respondents in DOSCST.

CHARACTERISTICS

DOSCST

100 Respondents

FREQUENCY MODE/MEAN

GENDER Male Female

36 64

MODE is Female

AGE 15-17 18-20 21-23 24-26 27-Above

17 74 3 3 3

MEAN is 19

21

CIVIL STATUS Married Single Widow

2

98 0

MODE is Single

YEAR AND COURSE BSEDBS-2 BSEDBS-3 BSEDBS-4 BSEDE-2 BSEDE-3 BSEDM-3 BSEDM-4 BPE-SPE-2 BPE-SPE-3 BPE-SPE-4 BEED-2 BEED-3 BEED-4 BSCE-1 BSCE-2 BSCE-3 BSCE-4 BSCE-5 BSBio-2 BSBio-3 BSMBF-2 BSMBF-3 BSAM-3 BSAM-4 BAT-4 BSHRM-4 BSBA-3 BSIT-4 BSIT-3 BSC-1 BSC-2

2 3 3 3

15 4 4 2 1 1 5

18 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 5 2 1 1 2 6 1 1 6 2

MODE is BEED-3

II. Individual Perception

The perceived benefits caused by the act and the significant changes on the

respondents’ quality of life in terms of Social Adequacy and the comments on

the implementation of the said act.

22

The benefits caused by the act and the significant changes on the

respondents’ quality of life in terms of Social Adequacy given by the

respondents were the following:

1. Availability of the services of government through health care authorities

2. Easy avoidance from sickness within a year

3. Seldom occurrence of sickness within a year

4. Quality medicines at affordable prices

5. The family can eat three times a day

6. Knowledge on what generic medicines to buy on certain illnesses

7. Consumption of nutritious food and potable water

8. Community involvement of families in the governments’ projects and

programs

9. The family feels the importance of being the basic unit of society

10. Existence of harmony and camaraderie among the neighborhood

The comments on the implementation of the said act mentioned by the

DOSCST students were the following:

1. Just good because of we can avail cheaper medicines

2. The act needs to be disseminated through the use of more and relevant

multimedia

3. There must be strong implementation of the act

4. It is effective because it is of great help especially to the elderly but there

should be wide information about the act.

23

III. Communication Tools used for Information Dissemination

COMMUNICATION TOOLS DOSCST FREQUENCY

1. Information Drive

TV 66

Radio 45

Flyer 10

Poser 16

Primer 1

Newspaper 34

Social Media 36

Video 10

A-V Presentation 5

Forum 9

Seminar-workshop 12

Training 6

Interpersonal 25

2. Effective Tool

TV 60

Radio 6

Flyer 0

Poster 0

Primer 0

Newspaper 5

Social Media 16

Video 0

A-V Presentation 0

Forum 2

Seminar-workshop 10

Training 0

Interpersonal 1

Table 2 shows the frequency of communication tools applied in the program that

effectively reached the beneficiaries. Most of the respondents in the school said that

they were informed through television as a mode of communication. Meanwhile, the

television also got the highest percentage being perceived as the most effective tool in

information drive.

24

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary

The Philippine government shows its serious efforts to combat the expensive

medicines through the implementation of the Universally Cheaper Medicines Act of

2008. The Act by far has been the most comprehensive and also, controversial health

act of the Philippine government because of the undying efforts to achieve cheaper

medicines. Last 2012, the DOH a proposed 54.6 billion pesos to further bolster the

development framework which centers on poverty reduction and empowerment of the

poor and the vulnerable.

This study was conducted among the 100 students of the Davao Oriental State

College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) as respondents.

Specifically, this study was conducted to find out the socio-demographic

characteristics of the respondents; to know the effective communication tools acquired in

the program; to know the effectiveness of 4Ps to the quality of life of the respondents in

terms; and, to determine the relationship of these effects to the classification of the

place. Questionnaires were distributed in gathering the data. Some data were analyzed

using the statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages, and means. Other

data were presented descriptively.

Results showed that most (64%) of the respondents were females while the

remaining (36%) were males. Most (74%) of the respondents were under 18-20 years

old. As to their civil status, majority (98%) were single. Most (18%) of them took up

BEED-3.

25

Most (66%) of the population were informed about the program through

televisions as mode of communication. Majority (60%) of them also said that television is

the most effective way of communicating the program.

Conclusions

In view of the findings of the study, the following conclusions were made:

1. Due to the working habit of men, women dominated this study. Therefore,

women played the most vital role in Human Development.

2. The most effective tool in communicating Human Development Programs is

television.

3. A typical college student who is well-informed about the act is a female.

4. The student-respondents have good level of communication on the act. They

watch television to be informed about the act.

5. The students perceived the act as an effective instrument for students’ health

care. They agreed that it has been serving the student for their development.

26

Recommendations

From the research findings and conclusions of this study conducted in DOSCST,

it is evident that the quality of implementing the Universally Accessible Cheaper and

Quality Medicines Act of 2008 is to some extent in a parlous state. Importantly,

considerable gaps exist between the actual implementation of the act and a realistic

ideal. Achieving act’s effectiveness for college students therefore requires closing the

gap between the actual implementation of the program and the ideal by making realistic

recommendations to address the limiting factors that constrain the quality of cheaper

and qualiy medicines program. The following recommendations provide directions for

reform of the said act in DOSCST.

1. In the consequence of the fact that most DOSCST students feel that their

voice cannot be heard, the researchers recommend that the college

instructors and the larger community should motivate their students to

express their opinions and insights.

2. Since the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008

gives many benefits to the development of the students, this should not only

involve limited and exclusive number of students.

3. Seeing that one of the student-respondents complained about not informed

about the act at all, all means must be exhausted by the college’s president

to provide a seminar which will be attended by reliable authorities in health

care.

4. In as much as several respondents cite the lack of information dissemination

as problem, it is necessary that the students should be exposed to different

27

important media through reading on a newspaper, listening to the radio and

attending the information drives and seminars.

5. Topics of national relevance like the act should be incorporated in every issue

of school publication and even classroom lectures to make college students

be active participants for change.

6. Considering that some college students have no interest to learn the act,

there is, therefore, a definite need for the school clinic to make the act

appealing and motivating. An example of interesting activity that the students

can engage in is giving them community-oriented assignment like visiting a

pharmacy, hospital or the like.

7. For further research, the following topics are recommended:

a. A Comparative Study of Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality

Medicines Act of 2008 in Mati City; and

b. Implementation Analysis of Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality

Medicines Act of 2008

28

LITERATURE CITED

Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). (2013). Official Poverty Statistics and Poverty

Reduction Programs of the Philippines.

http://www.adbi.org/files/2013.05.08.cpp.sess4.3.poverty.reduction.philippine

s.pdf Retrieved May 7, 2013

Blanco, N. (2012). The Crusade to Cheaper Medicines.

http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/access/EssentialMedsBiennialReport06_07.pdf

Elchico, A. (Reporter). Cheaper Medicines. In Nathalie Blanco (producer), Krusada.

Metro Manila, Philippines: ABS-CBN

European Commission. (2013). Study in the Corruption in the Health Care Sector.

http://www.stt.lt/documents/soc_tyrimai/20131219_study_on_corruption_in_the_healthca

re_sector_en.pdf

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). (2008) Bringing Cheaper

Medicines to Filipinos.

http://www.genericsking.com/uploads/2/6/2/5/2625420/bringing_cheaper_medicines_to_

filipinos_neda.pdf Retrieved June 30, 2008

Ona, E. (2013). Bringing down the expensive medicine prices. Retrieved from

http://www.genericsking.com/uploads/2/6/2/5/2625420/bringing_cheaper_medicines_to_

filipinos_neda.pdf

Picazo, O. (2011). Review of Philippine Medicine’s Prices. Retrieved from

http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccs_phl_en.pdf

Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). (2011) Review of the Cheaper

Medicines Program of the Philippines. http://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-

content/OPCCB/fpb/b_DOH-CheaperMedicines/i-

Cheaper%20Medicines%20Program%20Review.pdf Retrieved February 1, 2011

Reodica, C. (2013). On Cheaper Medicines. Retrieved from http://Filipinos-turning-to-

generic-drugs-says-doh

Rivera, F. (2011). Three years of Cheaper Medicine Law has not made drugs affordable.

Retrieved

http://headphilippines.blogspot.com/2011/06/three-years-of-cheaper-medicine-law-

has.html

29

Sauler, E. (2013, October 1). More Filipinos turning to generic drugs, says DOH. The

Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/498407/more-

filipinos-turning-to-generic-drugs-says-doh

Tayag, E. (2013). Krusada. Retrieved from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/current-affairs-

programs/07/27/12/krusada-cheaper-medicines

World Health Organization (WHO). (2011). WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for the

Philippines 2011-2016.

http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccs_phl_en.pdf Retrieved July 19,

2011

World Health Organization (WHO). (2012). Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008. Retrieved

from http://www.who.gov.int/index2.php?pr=152

Villar, M. (2012). Cheaper Medicines Act not properly implemented — Villar. GMA

MarchNews. Retrieved from

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/251975/news/nation/cheaper-medicines-act-

not-properly-implemented-villar

30

31

32

APPENDICES

Appendix A

Guide Questionnaire

Directions: Fill out the blanks with appropriate information.

I. SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Name: ________________________________________ Age: _________

Gender: _________ Civil Status: _________________

33

Year and Course: _______________

Directions: Answer the following questions as honest as you can.

II. INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTION

1. Do you know what Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008 is? If yes, what

does it state?

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

2. Does the law benefit you? Why? How?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3. What are the changes on the quality of your life caused by the said

act in terms of social adequacy?

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

4. What can you comment about the implementation of the said act?

Why do you say so?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

5. How effective is the said act? Rate it. 10 is the highest score. State

your reason/s.

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Directions: Please check the correct answer.

III. COMMUNICATION-RELATED 1. What communication tools made you aware of the said act? (Pwede mu-check

ug daghan) ( ) TV ( ) RADIO ( ) FLYER ( ) POSTER

34

( ) PRIMER ( ) NEWSPAPER ( ) SOCIAL MEDIA ( ) VIDEO ( ) A-V PRESENTATION ( ) FORUM ( ) SEMINAR-WORKSHOP ( ) TRAINING ( ) INTERPERSONAL (2 persons involved only)

2. For you, which communication tool is more important? (Isa lang) ( ) TV ( ) RADIO ( ) FLYER ( ) POSTER ( ) PRIMER ( ) NEWSPAPER ( ) SOCIAL MEDIA ( ) VIDEO ( ) A-V PRESENTATION ( ) FORUM ( ) SEMINAR-WORKSHOP ( ) TRAINING ( ) INTERPERSONAL (2 persons involved only)

_________________________

Respondent’s Signature

Daghang Salamat!

Date: _____________

35

Appendix B

Republic of the Philippines

Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology City of Mati, Davao Oriental

Education and Teachers’ Training Department

Dear co-Tatenians,

Greetings of Peace!

We, the junior BSED- English students of the Davao Oriental State College of

Science and Technology (DOSCST), are currently conducting a study on the

“Assessment of the Effectiveness of Universally Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008

as Perceived by DOSCST Students”.

Since you are qualified to be a respondent, we are asking for your help and

support by answering the questionnaire regarding our study.

We are hoping that you will answer the questionnaire as honest as you can. You

can count on us about the privacy of your answers.

Thank you very much.

Respectfully yours,

Dan Christian Z. Avila

Aileen Pearl Madanlo

Honey Mariz P. Marimon

Cariza P. Compuesto

Lady Lyn Macan

Researchers

36

CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME Dan Christian Z. Avila

N-NAME Dan2x

BIRTHDATE July 12, 1996

BIRTHPLACE General Santos City

ADDRESS Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental

RELIGION Roman Catholic

E-MAIL ADDRESS danchristianavila12@gmail.com

FACEBOOK ACCOUNT danchristianavila12@gmail.com

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

ELEMENTARY Calapagan Elementary School

SECONDARY Calapagan National High School

TERTIARY Davao Oriental State College of Science & Technology

DEGREE Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English

ORGANIZATIONS

News Editor, Ang Sidlakan

Auditor, Mentors’ Society

Member, SCO’RE

SEMINARS, TRAININGS & AWARDS

3rd Young Progressives Forum, AKBAYAN, Matina, Davao City, Participant

Buwan ng Wika 2012 (Pagsulat ng Tula), 2nd place

International Day of Peace 2012 Essay Writing Contest, 3rd place

ETD Week 2012 Essay Writing Contest, Participant

37

Mentors’ Week 2012 Essay Writing Contest 2012, Participant

DHSFI Regional 2013 Essay Writing Contest 2013, Participant

Siglakas 2013 Essay Writing Contest, Participant

3rd Young Progressives Forum, AKBAYAN, Matina, Davao City, Participant

Mentors’ Week 2013 Essay Writing Contest 2013, 1st place

Culture and Arts Week Essay Writing Contest 2014, 1st place

38

NAME Aileen Pearl B. Madanlo

N-NAME Len2x

BIRTHDATE February 18, 1995

BIRTHPLACE P.M. Sobrecarey, Caraga, Davao Oriental

ADDRESS P.M. Sobrecarey, Caraga, Davao Oriental

RELIGION Faith Tabernacle

E-MAIL ADDRESS pearlmadanlo@gmail.com

FACEBOOK ACCOUNT aileenpearl.madanlo@yahoo.com

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

ELEMENTARY Pantuyan Elementary School

SECONDARY Pantuyan National High School

TERTIARY Davao Oriental State College of Science & Technology

DEGREE Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English

ORGANIZATIONS

Member, Mentors’ Society

Member, SCO”RE

SEMINARS, TRAININGS & AWARDS

None

39

NAME Honey Mariz P. Marimon

N-NAME Honey

BIRTHDATE June 13, 1995

BIRTHPLACE Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental

ADDRESS Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental

RELIGION Roman Catholic

E-MAIL ADDRESS honeymariz25@gmail.com

FACEBOOK ACCOUNT honeymariz123@yahoo.com

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

ELEMENTARY Sigaboy Central Elementary School

SECONDARY Sigaboy Agricultural Vocational High School

TERTIARY Davao Oriental State College of Science & Technology

DEGREE Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English

ORGANIZATIONS

Member, Mentors’ Society

Member, SCO’RE

SEMINARS, TRAININGS & AWARDS

None

40

NAME Cariza P. Compuesto

N-NAME Craie2x

BIRTHDATE August 10, 1995

BIRTHPLACE Tiblawan, Gov.Generoso, Davao Oriental

ADDRESS Tibawan, Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental

RELIGION Roman Catholic

E-MAIL ADDRESS 1902carz@gmail.com

FACEBOOK ACCOUNT carizacompuesto@gmail.com

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

ELEMENTARY Quezon Elementary School

SECONDARY Lupon National High School

TERTIARY Davao Oriental State College of Science & Technology

DEGREE Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English

ORGANIZATIONS

Member, Mentors’ Society

Member, SCO’RE

SEMINARS, TRAININGS & AWARDS

None

41

NAME Lady Lyn R. Macan

N-NAME Ling-ling

BIRTHDATE September 12, 1995

BIRTHPLACE Mati City

ADDRESS Punta, Brgy.Badas, Mati Davao Oriental

RELIGION Roman Catholic

E-MAIL ADDRESS ladylynmacan12@gmail.com

FACEBOOK ACCOUNT ladylynmacan@yahoo.com

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

ELEMENTARY Tagawisan Elementary School

SECONDARY Mati National Comprehensive High School

TERTIARY Davao Oriental State College of Science & Technology

DEGREE Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English

ORGANIZATIONS

Membe, Mentors’ Society

Member, SCO’RE

SEMINARS, TRAININGS & AWARDS

None