Multinational drug firm Pfizer and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) recently entered into a partnership allowing all the members of the government insurance agency to buy discounted medicine from Pfizer.

The 1.5 government employees and pensioners of the GSIS can avail of the 22-discounted medicines under the 'Sulit' card system of Pfizer. A 40-percent discount will be given to holders of the GSIS e-card who will buy medicines for chronic illnesses or maintenance drugs.

The exclusive partnership between GSIS and Pfizer will last for one year.

"What is good about the e-card is that a pensioner can buy for a relative who needs the medicine. The pensioner just needs to present the prescription and he can buy the drug Norvasc for his parent and get a 60 percent discount," Dr. Anthony Leachon, medical director of Pfizer said in an interview recently.

The sulit cards are given out only in doctors' clinics as the drug firm puts a premium on the doctor-patient relationship.

"If you just give it out without doing follow-up with the patient, the patient does not know the importance of drinking his or her medicine. Some patients do not know the importance of maintenance medicines. We use the sulit card, and now the e-card to remind the patients when they need to drink the medicine or when they need to follow up with their doctors," he added.

Negotiations between the government entity and the drug company took over one year. But Dr. Angel Concepcion, medical director of GSIS said they are open to proposals from other drug firms that may want to offer the same service to patients.

"If you ask why we approved Pfizer, it's because they approached us. We cannot approach drug companies. If you want to join us, you are free to do so," he said.

"What GSIS wants is for our members to have access to cheap medicine," Dr. Concepcion added.

On the issue of the Maximum Retail Price Scheme, Dr. Leachon said it will greatly affect the workforce of the company. Pfizer Philippines has an average of 50,000 employees nationwide.

He said if MRP is set, some departments such as their marketing arm and training division might be scrapped that may result to staff cuts.

"Commercial viability is imminent and that loss of jobs is possible. Supply chain could become a problem too," he said adding that 40 percent of company sales depend on its top three products (Zithromax, Norvasc, and Lipitor) that will be affected with the price ceiling measure.