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Health groups urge PRRD to certify alcohol, e-cig tax hike urgent

MANILA -- The Sin Tax Coalition, a group of health advocates, on Monday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to certify the proposal to raise taxes on alcoholic beverages, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and vapor products as an urgent measure.

“We note the administration’s pronouncement in the 2019 State of the Nation Address asking Congress to prioritize the passage of the bill increasing the excise taxes on these sin products... It is our common goal to have the new higher taxes on alcohol, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products implemented on the first day of 2020,” the coalition said in a statement.

Representatives from medical societies such as the Philippine Medical Association, the Philippine College of Physicians, and the Philippine Pediatric Society, together with the youth, senior citizens, urban poor communities and other members of civil society organizations are behind the statement.

The excise tax increase on alcohol, HTPs, and vape would prevent young people from accessing them, the group stressed.

The group cited a Global School-Based Student Health survey in 2015 showed two out of three 13-15 years old high school students in the country, whoever had a drink of alcohol other than a few sips, admitted that they started drinking alcohol before 14 years old.

It also cited a National Nutrition Survey of 2018 which shows that one out of five e-cigarette users in the country comes from young Filipinos aged 10 to 19 years old.

“The main reason to tax these products is to protect young people from accessing the product," the statement read.

Senate ways and means committee chairperson Pia Cayetano sponsored Senate Bill 1074 before which seeks to align the tax rate of HTPs and vape with that of traditional cigarettes at PHP45 starting next year.

For alcoholic beverages, Cayetano proposes to increase the tax on distilled spirits from PHP23.5 to PHP90 per proof liter with a 20 percent ad valorem tax beginning next year.

Meanwhile, fermented liquors and alcopops would be taxed at PHP45 per liter, up from PHP25.4. A specific tax of PHP600 would be imposed on sparkling wines, while a specific tax of PHP43 would be imposed on still and carbonated wines beginning 2020.

Earlier, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the bill is expected to generate around PHP47.9 billion in incremental revenue, which would help bridge the funding gap for the first year of implementation of the Universal Health Care law. (PNA)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083077/written by: Ma. Teresa Montemayor , October 14, 2019, 2:34 pm

120K in Western Pacific get infected with HIV each year: WHO

MANILA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that an estimated 120,000 people in the Western Pacific region are still being infected with HIV each year, with a significant increase in new infections in the Philippines.

WHO said current HIV prevention efforts in the region focus on key populations, such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and sex workers.

"These efforts include the use of antiretrovirals as pre-exposure prophylaxis, community-based HIV testing and partner notification, and transitioning to newer and more effective drug regimens," WHO said in a statement.

The good news is that more and more HIV patients in the region have access to HIV treatment, the United Nations health agency added.

WHO noted "progress" in access to HIV treatment in the region, which has grown from 34 percent in 2014 to 59 percent in 2018, with 1.11 million of an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment.

WHO added that hepatitis remains "a key challenge" for the region, with an estimated 115 million people with chronic hepatitis B infection and 14 million with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Currently, WHO said only 17 percent are diagnosed and a mere 3 percent are receiving treatment.

Chronic hepatitis B and C are the most common causes of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, according to WHO.

At the 17th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific being held in Manila since Monday, health leaders agreed to develop a nine-year action plan to eradicate hepatitis.

"Delegates emphasized the need to overcome barriers to testing and treatment, since too few people are aware they are infected with hepatitis, or receive the medications to treat it," WHO added.

WHO said it will continue working with countries, experts and partners to develop a hepatitis regional action plan for 2021 to 2030.

Responding to rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in some countries, delegates also welcomed support from WHO to estimate the number of people infected, intensify surveillance and update treatment guidelines.

WHO said stigma, discrimination and inequitable access to services, particularly among key populations, still pose challenges in the region for those with HIV, hepatitis and STIs. (Xinhua)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082870/October 10, 2019, 8:51 pm

DOH signs IRR for UHC law

MANILA -- Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the landmark Universal Health Care (UHC) law (Republic Act No. 11223).

In his speech at the ceremonial signing in Manila, Duque said the IRR is only the first step to the creation of a health system that works for all.

“We will begin with a change in perspective where health care is more than treating patients in our facilities. The health system will actively improve the health literacy, the health environment, the social determinants of health of every Filipino,” he said.

The IRR would guide the DOH and its partner agencies in implementing the landmark law.

Quezon 4th District Rep. Helen Tan, author of the UHC Act in the House of Representatives, said while the law may not be perfect, it is a good start in improving the health condition of Filipinos, despite many challenges including appropriate funding.

“Ang bola ay nasa DOH and PhilHealth na (The ball is already in the hands of the DOH and PhilHealth [Philippine Health Insurance Corporation] already)…and you can’t afford to lose this battle for the people and now is the time to fulfill the promise of health care,” she said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, a co-author and co-sponsor of the UHC Act, said the legislators would monitor the implementation of the law through mandated performance evaluation mechanisms.

“Ito ay para masiguro na nagta-translate sa aktwal na pagbabago, na nararamdaman ng mga Pilipino ang reporma ng UHC law (This is to ensure that it [UHC law] translates to actual change, that every Filipino feels the reforms brought about by the UHC law),” Hontiveros said.

On February 20, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the UHC law which ensures that every Filipino, including overseas Filipino workers, are eligible to preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care.

Under the law, all Filipino citizens are automatically enrolled into the government’s health insurance program.

Members who have the capacity to pay are considered direct contributors while the indigents and senior citizens are categorized as indirect contributors and are sponsored by the government. (PNA)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082784/written by: Ma. Teresa Montemayor October 10, 2019, 3:00 pm

Suicides kill more people than natural calamities

ANKARA -- Suicides due to mental disorders take more lives every year than terrorism or natural calamities.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, nearly 800,000 people commit suicide every year due to psychological reasons.

On eve of the World Mental Health Day on Oct 10, a report prepared by the WHO stated that around 350 million people are suffering from depression, and 264 million people face anxiety disorder.

The 36-member Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental economic organization, says that mental disorders are affecting 20% of global working population. It apprehends that if left unchecked, the psychological ailments will cost the global economy nearly USD16 trillion by 2030.

The WHO -- a specialized agency of the UN, concerned with international public health, has documented that 450 million people across the world are affected by mental disorders.

It has further documented that in a 10-year period, from 2005-2015, the prevalence of psychological ailments has increased by 16% due to conflicts and migration. At least one in every nine people, who live in a conflict area, has reported mental illness.

The report said at least 79% of suicides were reported from low and middle-income countries. It further revealed that 10-20% of children and adolescent are affected with some psychological disorder. At least 50% of those mentally challenged are affected by this disease before the age of 14.

More alarming is that over 40% of countries do not have mental health care policies. Another 30% do not a possess mental health care program and 25% of countries do not have mental health care regulations.

As many as 23 million people have reported schizophrenia and 60 million people bipolar disease. The number of dementia patients has also increased to 50 million.

According to WHO, two in every three people do not come for treatment, fearing exclusion from society.

In 2018, 76%-85% of people from low and middle-income groups affected by psychological disorders could not receive treatment. In high-income countries, 35%-50% of people did not receive treatment.

According to the World Bank's data, psychological diseases and substance use disorder are affecting 10% of the working population in the world. But the OECD has put this figure at 20%. (Anadulo)

Source:https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082744/October 9, 2019, 10:02 pm

Antibiotics abuse: Saving money at the expense of one’s health

**FIGHTING ANTI-MICROBIAL RESISTANCE.** Philippine National Formulary and National Antibiotic Guidelines representative Cecilia Maramba-Lazarte (left) says the failure to complete a course of antibiotics is a form of antibiotic abuse which could lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) -- or the ability of microbes to resist the effects of medication, making the diseases caused by them no longer treatable by antibiotics. (PNA photo by Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

MANILA -- Many cash-strapped Filipinos tend not to finish their dosage of antibiotics in order to save money. Little did they know that this practice will cost them bigger expenses later when their disease or infection becomes resistant to antibiotics.

“Sasabihin ng doktor one week ang antibiotic pero hindi ko na kinukumpleto dahil mahal. Minsan, five days lang, kasi iniisip ko branded, hindi naman generic ang antibiotic na nabili ko kaya okay na siguro iyon (The doctor says the antibiotic must be taken for a week but I don’t follow the doctor’s advice because it’s expensive. Sometimes, I just take it for five days since I buy branded medicines and not generic, so I think, it’s okay),” Tess Reyes, 44, told Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.

Being a single mother with two children, Reyes often looks for ways to keep her daily expenses minimal so she can send her children to school.

Philippine National Formulary and National Antibiotic Guidelines representative Cecilia Maramba-Lazarte said Reyes’ practice is a form of antibiotic misuse which is as dangerous as self-medication.

“Self-medication and misuse are forms of antibiotics abuse. Patients don’t go to the doctor, they self-medicate, they ask their neighbor, ano ang ininom mo para sa ganito o noong masakit ang lalamunan mo (what did you take for this or when you had sore throat) instead of getting appropriate treatment,” Lazarte said.

Citing that most infections are viral in nature, Lazarte explained that taking antibiotics to cure them could add resistance to the bacterial population present.

“If you have an infection, go to the physician for proper assessment and laboratory tests to know whether its viral or bacterial infection and so proper drugs can be prescribed. If it is a viral infection, you don’t need an antibiotic for it,” she said.

Lazarte added that strict compliance with the doctor’s prescription is important in ensuring the total healing of the patient.

“For example, they already feel better, they’ll already stop it. This will lead to the possibility that you haven’t eradicated all the bacteria,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization, repetitive abuse of antibiotics leads to the risk of getting anti-microbial resistance.

“This means they (infections) won’t be sensitive to the usual antibiotics anymore and you’ll need stronger drugs to eradicate these bacteria,” Lazarte said.

Lazarte cited that pharmaceutical companies have stopped investing in researches in the past years because of small return of investment since antibiotics are prescribed to be taken only for a few days compared to medicines for lifestyle diseases.

“It’s possible that there would be no new ones. Taking antibiotics when we don’t need them will lead to a time when they will no longer be useful,” she added.

In line with this, a report of the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program (ARSP) said that skin infections due to staphylococcus aureus used to be curable with Oxacillin.

ARSP is a program of the Department of Health that aims to provide critical inputs to the DOH’s effort to promote rational drug use by determining the status and trends of antimicrobial resistance of selected bacteria to specific antibiotics

“In the latest data from ARSP, the Oxacillin resistance is already from 52 percent. Now, we have to use a higher drug-like Clindamycin for oral or if the patient is very sick or septic, we use Vancomycin,” Lazarte said.

She added there could only be very few drugs that can be used to cure such infection other than Vancomycin.

On Sept. 26, the Department of Health (DOH) launched the online version of the National Antibiotic Guidelines (NAG) to guide health care providers on rational antibiotic use as part of the national effort to fight the growing public health threat of antimicrobial resistance.

The NAG also outlines the recommended approach to the treatment of common infectious diseases and aims to facilitate consistency of care and quality use of antimicrobials in all healthcare facilities.

“Antimicrobial resistance is now a significant public health threat which causes major health and economic consequences. The irrational use/misuse of antimicrobials was identified as a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which has been associated with various management and healthcare provider concerns,” DOH Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said. (PNA)

Source:https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082194/ written by: Ma. Teresa Montemayor; October 3, 2019, 7:34 pm