The Department of Health (DOH) said it is closely monitoring the prices of medicines and medical supplies as global oil prices continue to rise.
DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo said rapid developments have prompted the agency to implement parallel measures, including inventory checks and contingency planning, particularly in DOH-run hospitals, to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines and medical supplies.
Earlier, the DOH warned that inflation could impact the healthcare sector following the Middle East crisis, echoing projections from an economist.
Domingo also stressed that PhilHealth must be prepared to keep up with the expected increase in demand for healthcare services.
He further urged the public to better understand how private hospital charges are computed, especially amid rising costs linked to inflation.
Domingo called for the “unbundling” or breakdown of hospital fees—such as expenses for electricity, fuel, and salaries of healthcare workers—to determine whether increases in healthcare costs are directly tied to rising oil prices.
He added that transparency in pricing would help the public better understand the adjustments, while the DOH’s Zero Balance Billing program and PhilHealth benefits could provide financial support to patients.
