Manila: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has made its first payment under the Guaranteed Access to Medicines and Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program, marking a significant milestone in the initiative's rollout. The payment was made to CGD Medical Depot Inc., a PhilHealth-accredited retail pharmaceutical outlet located at Ayala Malls Vertis North.

According to Philippines News Agency, the GAMOT program is an enhancement of PhilHealth's primary care benefits package, YAKAP, aimed at broadening access to affordable outpatient medicines across the nation. The program now includes 75 essential medicines, a notable increase from the previous 21, which cover a range of conditions such as infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart diseases, and nervous system disorders.

This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), which emphasized making medicines more affordable and accessible to all Filipinos. The program's execution involves collaboration with Food and Drug Administration-licensed pharmacies nationwide, ensuring that prescribed medicines are conveniently available at accredited GAMOT facilities.

PhilHealth encourages members to register via the eGovPH mobile app, choose a YAKAP Clinic and primary care provider, and schedule their First Patient Encounter (FPE) to benefit from these services. As of September 3, there are 41 operational GAMOT facilities in the National Capital Region, with additional outlets expected to join the program in the future. Members can access the updated list of accredited outlets through the PhilHealth website.