HEEDING the call of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), 24 pharmacies and drugstores are now applying to become accredited Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (Gamot) facilities.
PhilHealth Vice President for Corporate Affairs Rey Baleña disclosed this in a televised public briefing.
“We continue to expand. We are talking to different pharmacies and drugstore chains so that they will join us and bring our Gamot program closer to Filipinos,” said Baleña.
“There are actually 24 (facilities) that are now being processed. Definitely, the number of accredited pharmacies will increase,” he added.
Earlier, the PhilHealth Gamot program took effect with 75 types of free medicine made available to PhilHealth members.
The benefit package provides an annual benefit limit of P20,000 per beneficiary.
Currently accredited as PhilHealth Gamot providers are CGD Medical Depot Inc. in Vertis North Ayala Malls in Quezon City; and VidaCure in Festival Mall, Muntinlupa City, and Gateway Mall in Quezon City.
The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center in Sta. Cruz, Manila, as well as Pharm Gen Ventures Corp. (Generika Drugstore) in Parañaque City, Navotas City, Quezon City, and Taguig City are also accredited as PhilHealth Gamot providers.
As for far-flung areas, the PhilHealth official said they will be holding caravans in a bid to offer the program to its members in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
He said they are partnering with local government units (LGUs) to ensure the success of the caravans.
“In the GIDA areas, we are already going to different barangays. We are holding caravans that are carrying supplies, while doctors are being sent by the local governments,” he related.
“Through these, we can have patient encounters, have them registered, and prescribe medicines for our countrymen,” added Baleña.
