MANILA — Senator Jinggoy Estrada has introduced a bill mandating local government units (LGUs) to provide complimentary medicines to indigent patients in public hospitals.
Estrada emphasized the need for LGUs to allocate a portion of their national tax allotment share to ensure that medications for indigent patients are provided at no cost.
“While consultations and hospitalization are often free in public hospitals, health care centers, or clinics, the significance diminishes when patients cannot afford the prescribed medications,” noted Estrada.
In Senate Bill No. 1029, Estrada recommends that LGUs set aside a portion of their National Tax Allotments (NTA) to fund the provision of free medicines to indigent patients through public hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, or other outlets in their respective areas.
To guarantee accessibility to complimentary medicines, Estrada proposes that government hospitals and clinics establish their pharmacies or outlets for the distribution of free medications.
(el Amigo/MNM)
