Manila:In a significant move coinciding with Generics Awareness Month, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has announced a partnership with a retail pharmacy chain, launching the 'Kasama sa Pag-Galing' campaign. This initiative is designed to enhance the accessibility and affordability of essential outpatient treatments for Filipino families.
According to Philippines News Agency, the campaign places a strong emphasis on empowering communities through health education. It covers topics such as the use of generic medicines, understanding prescriptions, and planning for over-the-counter medication refills. The launch event saw senior citizens and community members receiving personalized guidance from pharmacists and free consultations from volunteer doctors.
The campaign's foundation is Southstar Drug's accreditation as a partner pharmacy under PhilHealth's GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) benefit package, which is a part of the YAKAP, or Yaman ng Kalusugan Program. The collaboration aims to significantly increase public access to medications. While YAKAP facilities traditionally offer 21 essential medicines, the GAMOT benefit adds 54 more generic medicines, expanding the total coverage to 75 essential medicines. This extensive formulary supports patients with long-term health conditions and various outpatient illnesses by providing necessary maintenance treatments.
Additionally, the partnership extends comprehensive outpatient support. Southstar Drug stores will assist beneficiaries with YAKAP registration, educate them on GAMOT privileges, and connect them with YAKAP-accredited doctors who can prescribe the necessary medicines. PhilHealth and Southstar Drug have also established a clear process to ensure beneficiaries can smoothly avail themselves of covered medications through accredited partners. Patients are required to consult with a YAKAP facility and obtain an official prescription before medicines can be dispensed at any accredited GAMOT facility, such as Southstar Drug.
With over 700 Southstar Drug stores nationwide, this partnership strives to deliver community-level health services and efficient refill planning to more areas across the country.
