By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Agri Partylist Representative Wilbert Lee is pushing for the establishment of a medicine voucher program to help indigent Filipinos have access to medicines.
“Ang nangyayari po kasi ngayon sa mga nangangailangan na pasyente, kahit covered ka pa ng PhilHealth, kung yung gamot na kailangan mo ay hindi available sa ospital, wala kang choice kundi bumili sa labas at galing sa sariling bulsa ang ipambibili ng gamot,” Lee said.
“Paano kung walang pambili ng gamot? Marami ang napipilitan na mangutang; yung iba, hindi na lang bumibili ng gamot kaya lumalala ang sakit. Kaya naisip natin na mula sa guarantee letters na ibinibigay ng gobyerno para sa medical assistance, magkaroon na tayo ng medical vouchers na tatanggapin na rin pati sa mga pribadong drug stores o pharmacy,” he added.
Lee filed House Bill No. 9797 or the Free Medicine Act of 2024 in which the Department of Health (DOH) as lead agency, in coordination with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall establish a program in providing eligible beneficiaries medical vouchers that will also be accepted or honored in private drug stores and establishments.
If passed into law, a mechanism will also be established to facilitate the accreditation of health care medicine providers, private drug companies and drug stores, to ensure the delivery of quality and accessible medicines.
(el Amigo/MNM)