22 February 2006
Gov’t okays P500M fresh fund for Botika ng Bayan
THE National Development Corporation (NDC) approved the allocation of additional P500 million for expansion of the half-priced medicines program of the Arroyo administration implemented thru the Botika ng Bayan.
Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) chairman and president Roberto Pagdanganan said the NDC board unanimously approved the allocation of fresh funds to augment the present financial capabilities of the on-going half-priced medicines program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“The goal is to make funds available to expand the Botika ng Bayan all over the country so that the medicines commonly bought, including antibiotics, hypertension, antihistamine, anti-diabetic shall be made available, accessible and affordable to the people, especially to the poor,” Pagdanganan said.
The new fund shall be used for importing branded off-patent medicines and to hasten the implementation of the half-priced medicines to be distributed in all Botika ng Bayan and Botika ng Barangay outlets.
“With this Botika ng Bayan network, we hope to be able to reach the target places especially in Metro Manila and far-flung areas in the provinces,” Pagdanganan added.
The five-year program which started last year aims to reduce the prices of medicines by half.
As of January 2006, a total of 1,016 Botika ng Bayan has been established in addition to the 3,600 Botika ng Barangay all over the country.
Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) chairman and president Roberto Pagdanganan said the NDC board unanimously approved the allocation of fresh funds to augment the present financial capabilities of the on-going half-priced medicines program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“The goal is to make funds available to expand the Botika ng Bayan all over the country so that the medicines commonly bought, including antibiotics, hypertension, antihistamine, anti-diabetic shall be made available, accessible and affordable to the people, especially to the poor,” Pagdanganan said.
The new fund shall be used for importing branded off-patent medicines and to hasten the implementation of the half-priced medicines to be distributed in all Botika ng Bayan and Botika ng Barangay outlets.
“With this Botika ng Bayan network, we hope to be able to reach the target places especially in Metro Manila and far-flung areas in the provinces,” Pagdanganan added.
The five-year program which started last year aims to reduce the prices of medicines by half.
As of January 2006, a total of 1,016 Botika ng Bayan has been established in addition to the 3,600 Botika ng Barangay all over the country.
