DOH to put up more BnB outlets
ROXAS CITY – More Filipinos can expect greater access to quality and affordable medicines.
Said access to cheaper medicines would be realized as the Department of Health (DOH) is targeting some 15,000 Botika ng Bayan outlets by 2010.
From the current 2,000 Botika ng Bayan outlets and nearly 12,000 barangay outlets nationwide, more BnBs are expected to be established in the next two years under the "Gamot Mabisa, Abot-Kaya" program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The BnB outlets complement the government's efforts to halve the price of medicines based on 2001 prices as well as strategies specified in the Cheaper Medicines law.
With the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9502 or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 this month, more Filipinos, especially the poor would have greater access to cheap medicines.
The BnB outlets complement the government's efforts to halve the price of medicines based on 2001 prices as well as strategies specified in the Cheaper Medicines law.
Dr. Leah del Rosario, DOH representative in Capiz, disclosed that a total of 57 Botika ng Barangays have been established in the province.
Del Rosario said that said BnBs are being managed by the respective barangays, with close monitoring and supervision from the DOH representatives.
She added that the operation of said BnBs are also with the supervision of the pharmacists who are working in the inter-local health zones of Capiz.
Del Rosario also revealed that the government has also provided said BnBs with P25,000 seed capital in the form of drugs and medicines.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has called on private individuals to apply before the Philippines Trading Corporation and Bureau of Food and Drugs for licenses to operate Botika ng Barangay outlets.
He said that with the availability of cheaper drugs on BnB outlets, the government can lower the spending on medicines by 50 percent.
Duque disclosed that the country spends a total of P200 billion for health, where P1 billion is spent on drugs and medicines. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)