'Pambansang Botika' set to sell cheaper medicines

MANILA, January 27 ------ Various government agencies launched the "Pambansang Botika at Bakuna para sa Mamamayan", which aims to sell cheaper medicines across the country. This venture is led by the Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

The first branch will be inside the Diliman Branch of the SSS. Usec. Maria Blanca Kim Lokin, President and CEO of the PPPI, said they aim to make cheaper medicines more accessible even for those in remote areas. Lokin said the 'Pambansang Botika' will sell all generic medicines, and they have partnered with an Indian company known for its affordable medicines.

Lokin said a 5-milligram amlodipine tablet, which is a maintenance medicine for high blood pressure, will sell at around P0.35 per piece at the Pambansang Botika, which is much cheaper than P1.25 per piece charged by other brands. "It will be much cheaper than the average botika," she said.

The Pambansang Botika has also partnered with PhilHealth to help them roll out their YAKAP program. Under this partnership, their drugstores will be accredited sites where beneficiaries of the YAKAP program can avail their free medicines. The Pambansang Botika is also open for franchise by interested franchisees or MSME owners. "Hindi po ito ayuda, ang gusto natin mangyari is kabuhayan at kalusugan," Lokin said. "It aims to compete in the market. While our main focus is the PhilHealth free medicines, we will also focus on faster-growing medicines in the countryside," she added.

Meanwhile, SSS said its offices are open as possible sites for the drugstore to further help their members get access to cheaper medicines. "Makakatulong ito sa aming mga myembro, ma avail din nila ang gamot at a low price," said Robert Joseph Montes De Claro, SSS President and CEO. "It will be easier for them to have access sa medicine, ito naman ang gusto ng Pangulo na padaliin ang pagbigay ng serbisyo sa ating manggagawa at yung medicines ay isa sa pangunahing pangangailangan ng members," he added.

Lokin likened the initiative to the 'Botika ng Bayan', which she said at its peak had 2,300 branches and rolling stores. She said they aim to replicate or even surpass that number before 2028 ends.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com