A labor party-list representative called on government on Thursday to apply the full force of the law against hospitals who threaten to go on a holiday to protest the implementation of an executive order setting a ceiling on retail prices of five essential medicines.

Trade Union Congress Party-list (TUCP) Rep. Raymond Mendoza said going on a holiday would be a grave offense considering the social responsibility of hospitals and should be dealt with the full force of law.

Mendoza was reacting to the reported threat of the Private Hospitals' Association of the Philippines (PHAP) to hold a “holiday” in protest of the supposed failure of the government to come up with measures that would protect them from bankruptcy.

The members of PHAP threatened to go on a hospital holiday if the government insists on implementing Republic Act No. 9502, the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicine Act, and Executive Order 821 which prescribes the Maximum Retail Price for essential medicines on Saturday.

PHAP members want to postpone its implementation as they had only one week to dispose of current stocks bought at a higher cost despite the commitment of pharmaceutical companies to give rebates.

The PHAP claims its members risk closure or bankruptcy if EO 821 was implemented before drugs bought at higher costs are used up.

It warned of private hospitals downgrading operations, retrenching hospital employees, and reducing services, or closing shop.