PITC lists 43 Botika ng Bayan in Iloilo
There are now 43 Botika ng Bayan (BnB) outlets in the city and province of Iloilo, according to the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC).
As of November 3, 2006, based on the PITC's list, most of these BnB outlets are found in Iloilo City numbering 29 while the remaining 14 outlets are in the different municipalities of Iloilo including Passi City.
PITC President and Chairman Roberto Pagdanganan, in one of his recent interviews, said that there are now 1,200 BnB stores operating all over the country. He added that they are targeting to establish a total of 30,000 BnB outlets in 2010.
One of the strategic programs of the government, the BnB aims to make essential quality medicines affordable, available and accessible to the people, especially the poor. This was launched by PITC, tasked as the lead government agency in the procurement and distribution of low-priced quality in the country under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in partnership with the Department of Health and Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).
Under the program, those who are eligible to apply are the following: Non-government organizations (NGOs) and cooperatives; trade and labor unions, employees association; corporate foundations and religious groups; senior citizens' and women's groups; and sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations.
Pagdanganan disclosed that by end of March, the PITC will raise its procurement of medicines from P115 million to 400 million to encourage the establishment of more drugstores selling affordable medicines.
The accessibility and affordability especially of commonly used drug to the masses has been the priority of the present administration. This is expected to be given more emphasis as the pro-poor health care is included in the "8 for'8" agenda of President Arroyo which is closely attuned to both the aspirations of the people and the expectations of the international community.
(PIA)