Supply of medicines for Botika ng Bayan up for distribution
Business-minded individuals in the city's different barangays will now have the chance to earn money as the Department of Health (DoH) sent boxes and cartons of medicines to be sold in the city's different Botika ng Bayan. Presently, there are 43 Botika ng Bayan in the city.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city is just a facilitator of the program. He could not estimate the worth of medicines recently delivered by DoH to the city government.
The operators of the Botika ng Bayan underwent seminar last January. The seminar was facilitated by the city government. They also signed an agreement with the DOH before they can operate their own drug stores. It is deemed as income generating project.
It also needs a barangay resolution before an operator can start its operation. The resolution signifying the barangay's approval for the institution of a Botika ng Barangay is being gathered by the city government and submitted to the DoH.
Treñas made clear that the Botika ng Bayan is a not a dole-out program of the government but a business enterprise wherein certain individuals are allowed to sell medicines provided by the health department. Proceeds from the Botika ng Bayan will be returned to the DOH. The medicines are generic which are cheaper and affordable.
Treñas could not say on how many percent of the total proceeds will go to the seller. However, he said that the presence of Botika ng Bayan in different barangays in the city will decrease the number of people coming to his office everyday to ask help to purchase medicine.
Thus, the chief executive wants to double the Botika ng Bayan in the city's 180 barangays. This will greatly benefit the city residents because of affordable prices of medicine and also lessen the number of residents who come to the health centers.