An additional 26 pharmacies in Antique applied to become providers for the Guaranteed and Accessible Medication for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT), a component of the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
PhilHealth Social Insurance Assistant 1 Liza Joyce Songcayawon said these 26 pharmacies applied after the launch of the GAMOT program in Antique on May 1.
They are in the process of complying with some requirements so they can undergo live testing to be able to start dispensing the medicines.
“Six pharmacies are already dispensing essential medicines, and 26 more applications for accreditation are in process,” she said in an interview.
The pharmacies that are already dispensing medicines prescribed under YAKAP are the San Vicente Pharmacy, Essentiales Pharmacy, Barbaza Rural Health Unit and Birthing Center, Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital and Aptek Pharmacy.
Songcayawon added they will launch a massive information dissemination among local government officials, barangay officials and other stakeholders in June so they can help cascade the program to the grassroots.
She said that there is a need for PhilHealth members to know about the GAMOT and YAKAP for them to avail of essential medicines and free consultations.
“Many YAKAP beneficiaries with maintenance medicines are still not aware of the PHP20,000 worth of medicines being dispensed by accredited GAMOT providers,”Songcayawon said. (PNA)
