Gov't to open 700 brgy drugstores in Region-7

CEBU - With the aim to reduce prices of medicine by 50 percent, the GMA 50 program targets to establish 700 Botica ng Bayan (BnB) outlets all over Region 7.

“For Region 7, ang among target by the end of December is to put up 700 outlets.. nagsugod na ni,” said Dr. Thelma Fernandez, Department of Helath 7 Botica ng Barangay coordinator.

According to her, the BnB is open to everyone and not just to the poor but even to those who can afford to buy any available drugs at the BnB outlets.

At the BnB, the GMA 50 program would sell medicine at lower prices compared to private pharmacies.

This is in line with the goal of the GMA 50 program to ensure that affordable, high quality, safe and effective drugs are always available especially to the poor.

For instance, Fernandez cited that a paracetamol tablet could be bought at the BnB for only 50 cents.

Drugs that are available include paracetamol in syrup and capsules, oresol, mefenamic acids, antibiotics, maintenance drugs, drugs for hypertension, diabetes, among others.

At present, there are 346 Botica ng Barangay outlets in the region—169 in Cebu province, 117 in Bohol and 60 in Negros Oriental.

Fernandez, however, said that prior to the establishment of an outlet, they have to secure an area where the medicines can be stored safely and free from thefts.

In her 2001 state-of-the-nation address, President Gloria Arroyo made a commitment to reduce the prices of medicines commonly bought by the poor by 50 percent.

The BnB was first established in 2001 with the support of three government agencies like the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office as funding source, and the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Health.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Food and Drugs supervisor Monina Coyoca disclosed that there is an increase by 55 percent of the use of generic drugs this year based on the latest Social Weather Station Survey in 2006.

In 1988, the Republic Act 6675, which is also known as Generics Act of 1988 was approved.

This act aims to promote, require and ensure the production of an adequate supply, distribution, use and acceptance of drugs and medicines identified by their generic names.

“Generic drugs are of good quality, effective and safe,” Coyoca said, adding that these have passed the standards of the BFAD. — Joy Kareen T. Saliente/WAB (The Freeman)