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Price freeze guidelines of medicines during disasters

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The Department of Health (DOH) recently issued the guidelines for price freeze of medicines during disasters and emergencies.This is pursuant to Republic Act no. 7581 or "An Act Providing protection to Consumers by Stabilizing the Prices of Basic Necessities and Price Commodities and by Prescribing Measures Against undue Price Increases during Emergency Situation and like Situations".  The new guidelines under DOH Administrative Order no. 2014-0001 dated January 1, 2014 was issued to guide consumers, hospitals, private and public drug outlets, other health care facilities and other government entities on the ethical prices of medicines during states of national calamities and emergencies.  Under the nine-point implementing guidelines, upon declaration of state of calamity by the President, all public and private drug retail outlets including hospital pharmacies shall implement the price freeze or the maximum ceiling price set by DOH for essential medicines. The pr

DOH Guidelines on '2 work shift duty' for nurses in hospitals

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Due to adopted practices of some hospitals and clamor for approval for a divergent work schedule, Department of Health (DOH) issued Department Circular no. 2013-0423 prescribing for guidelines on allowing two (2) work shift duty for nurses in hospitals. Under the previously issued AO no. 2012-0012, hospitals are to maintain the 1:12 nurse to bed ratio on a three (3) work shifts in twenty four (24) hours.

Department of Health on transition

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  Rationalization Plan Implemented October 22, 2013, the date of effectivity of Department of Health Rationalization Plan, is a date to remember for the opts-to-retire, matched personnel and CTIs in the DOH. Opting to retire is both on voluntary and compulsory bases. Voluntary because the decision to retire from the service is optional. Compulsory because the amount of separation benefits had made it compelling for personnel to take the opportunity, which can be availed only once in a lifetime.