More than one million Dabawenyos have received free medicines from the Botika ng Bayan (BNB) program since its launch in 2018, the city government said Wednesday.
Gemma Pujanes, head of the City Health Office’s pharmacy section, said in a statement that 14 registered outlets are operating across various health districts in the city.
“Most of the medications that Dabawenyos need are maintenance drugs for diabetes and high blood pressure. If you have prescriptions after check-ups in our health centers, you can go to the BNB for your medicines,” Pujanes said.
The BNB provides a range of free maintenance medicines, including antibiotics, cough and cold remedies, pain relievers and fever reducers.
Established in 2018 during the administration of then-Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, the initiative was made possible with assistance from the Department of Health. It aims to ensure that residents and non-residents can access essential medicines at no cost.
Pujanes added that the city plans to open additional outlets with licensed chemists in six more health districts this year.
The outlets operate Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PNA)
