PhilHealth eyes offering more free medicines under Gamot package

MANILA, Philippines, October 19 ------ The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said that it is eyeing to add more medicines to be offered for free under its new Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (Gamot) package.

During a roundtable discussion, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado said that this may be rolled out this year or early next year. “‘We are studying adding more medicines based on the approval of the Health Technology Assessment Council [HTAC],” Mercado said.

The PhilHealth Gamot, launched last August 14, expands the initial 21 free medicines to 75 with a yearly limit of P20,000 at select clinics and pharmacies. This initiative took effect last August 21, based on PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0013. Medicines under the PhilHealth Gamot include “common treatments” for medical conditions such as infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart conditions, nervous system disorders, and other supportive therapies.

Mercado noted that the Department of Health has an essential drug list that comprises almost 300 medicines. He added that the 75 medicines are only a fraction of what is considered as “essential.” “We are studying that and are waiting for the approval of other accrediting bodies, especially the HTAC, but this more medicine will definitely be included because we are already far from the total essential drug list,” Mercado added.

PhilHealth also said that it is studying which areas across the country are ready to offer the Gamot program. It noted that as of September 30, there are already 304 accredited pharmacies, of which 56 came from Metro Manila, where free medicines can be availed. To avail of the Gamot package, one must first register as a beneficiary of PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (Yakap) para Malayo sa Sakit program through the eGovPH app, PhilHealth member online portal, or at PhilHealth offices.

The beneficiaries must get a prescription from a Yakap or PhilHealth-certified physician before availing free medicines by presenting one government-issued ID and the prescription at any Gamot facility. Aside from this, the state insurer reported that over 36 million have already registered and availed its Yakap since it was launched in July 2024. This program is an expansion of the Konsulta package.

Mercado also said that 92 percent of all municipalities in the Philippines have a Yakap-accredited clinic, where Filipinos can avail primary healthcare services such as free medicines, consultations, and even cancer screening.

Source: inquirer.net