Davao City gov't opens 3rd Botika ng Bayan

DAVAO CITY -- The city government on Friday opened its third Botika ng Bayan at the City Health Office (CHO) to provide residents easier access to free medicines.   

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, CHO chief, said Friday the third Botika ng Bayan was made possible through a partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) that aims to help poor patients.   

“This is a big help for all the people since through the Botika ng Bayan, they (patients) no longer have any excuse not to take their medicines,” Villafuerte said.   

She said the DOH will provide the medicines for three years while the city will prepare for the transition of the medicine replacements after the three-year period.   

“After three years the Botika ng Bayan will be the sole responsibility of the City Government. We will purchase the needed medicines so that there will be continuity of the program,” she said.   

DOH Regional Director Annabelle Yumang said more Botika ng Bayan will be opened in the city to make medicines more accessible to a bigger number of people.   

Yumang said patients need not be concerned with the generic medicines as these are equally effective compared to branded ones.   

Villafuerte said Dabawenyos only need to bring their prescriptions to the nearest Botika ng Bayan to avail of free medicines. (Funny Pearl Gajunera/PNA)