GSK cuts prices of more medicines by 50%

Leading research-based pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has slashed by 50 percent the prices of three of its major prescription drugs. These reductions follow the price cuts that the company implemented on most of its major medicine brands in March this year.

The latest price cuts cover all formats of its innovator antibiotic medicine Co-amoxiclav (Augmentin) as well as its hypertension treatments Telmisartan (Pritor) and Telmisartan+Hydrochlorothiazide (Pritor Plus). These medicines are prescription medicines and can be purchased upon presentation of a valid prescription from a doctor.

Patients prescribed with Co-amoxiclav can now avail of their treatment at a significantly lower price. Its 625mg Co-amoxiclav tablet, for example, can be purchased at the suggested retail price of P48.90, half of its old price.

The price reduction for Telmisartan and Telmisartan+Hydrochlorothiazide will replace the 50% discount given with the ValueHealth Patient Compliance Card for patients buying telmisartan and telimsartan+hydrochlorothiazide. With the outright price reduction, more Filipino patients can now avail of the benefits of these treatments. To illustrate, a 40mg tab of Telmisartan is now available at a suggested retail price of P25.75, half its original price of P51.50.

GSK Philippines president and managing director Roberto Taboada said the voluntary latest price cuts are in line with the government’s objectives to improve patient access to quality medicines. This also continues the company’s ongoing efforts to make its globally trusted medicines more affordable to Filipino patients.

In November 2008, the company announced a 60% reduction for its cervical cancer vaccine, allowing more women to avail of protection from the second leading cause of cancer death in women.

In March this year, GSK slashed by as much as 50 percent the prices for 22 medicines. This included antibiotics medicines cefuroxime axetil, cancer medication mercaptopurine and ulcer treatment ranitidine among others. The commitment to make medicines affordable to more patients extends even to the company’s new products. In April, it launched its new allergic rhinitis at a price 30% lower than the leading brand. Earlier this month, GSK announced the launch of its new vaccine to protect children from pneumococcal disease, making this available at 30-40% lower than the currently available vaccine.

Patients are advised to consult their doctors to learn more about the appropriate treatment for their condition.