Several patient groups on Thursday urged Congress to pass a sugar tax and a mandatory front-of-pack labeling bill as part of efforts to curb the rising burden of cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) diseases. The appeal was made during the “Kapihan at Ugnayan: Usapang Kidneys, Puso at Metabolismo” forum organized by pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines, as reported by BusinessWorld.
CRM diseases, which include heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, are among the leading causes of death and disability in the Philippines. Patient advocates stressed that preventive measures such as higher taxes on sugary drinks and clearer nutritional information on packaged foods could reduce consumption of unhealthy products and lower the incidence of these chronic conditions.
The proposed sugar tax would impose an excise tax on beverages with high sugar content, while the front-of-pack labeling bill would require food manufacturers to display warning labels for nutrients of public health concern. The groups argue that these evidence-based policies are critical to reversing the trend of CRM diseases and lessening the strain on the country’s healthcare system.