Maybe the Philippines should follow what Uganda has started doing: make its own diabetes drug, locally.

UGANDA is now manufacturing a diabetes drug, Formin that regulates the level of sugar in the blood. The drug also helps reduce the weight of diabetics, 80 per cent of whom are usually obese.

Formin also reduces diabetes-related mortality by 42 per cent in obese patients. The drug, previously imported, is manufactured by Kampala Pharmaceutical Industry Limited (KPI), in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb.

During the launch on Friday, Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi said government would continue supporting the local industries to manufacture drugs locally. At least 85 per cent of the drugs consumed by Ugandans are imported while the rest are manufactured locally. The drug was launched by KPI in conjunction with the Uganda Diabetes Association at Golf Course Hotel.

Wow. Government will continue to support the local industries to manufacture drugs locally?! When will that ever happen here in the Philippines?!! Hmmm...maybe when pigs fly! :(