Roxas blasted the House for the non-ratification of the Cheaper Medicines Bill

Sen. Manuel Roxas II, chairman of the Senate trade and industry committee, blasted the House for the non-ratification of the Cheaper Medicines Bill. President Arroyo turned down calls for a special session of Congress to enable lawmakers to pass the pending cheap medicines bill.

Interesting insight also from Ram Maxey.

Affordable medicines

FOR a change, the Senate took the initiative on an important bill ahead of the House of Representatives, which now plays follow-the-leader on the issue of costly medicines. The Senate, voting 20-0, approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 2263, authored by Sen. Mar Roxas, which seeks to amend the Intellectual Property Code to make medicines more accessible to the poor and the middle-class. (Manila Times)