Davao City launches Botika ng Bayan  

DAVAO CITY--The local government has launched the Botika ng Bayan, where Dabawenyos and non-residents of this city can get free medicines with the help of the Department of Health (DoH).

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who led the launching and blessing of the Botika ng Bayan on Monday, said the public pharmacy will also cater to other people from other regions, who seek assistance for medicines from the government.

“I am very grateful to the Department of Health for helping us establish the Botika ng Bayan. This is a big help to the people especially that the medicines are given here for free,” Mayor Sara said.

The mayor also committed to maintain the supplies of medicines in the people’s pharmacy, located at the Lingap Compound beside the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC).

Duterte-Carpio also requested the DOH,  through Assistant Secretary Abdullah Dumama, to extend the Botika ng Bayan to the 17 districts of the city.

In response, Dumama committed to open more Botika ng Bayan in different parts of the country to cater to more Filipinos.

“For now, patients from other areas may come and ask for medicine at the Botika ng Bayan here in Davao. When the time comes that we have already put up the same project in their area, then they will be referred to their place,” Dumama said.

Josephine Mitaran, the in-charge of the city’s Lingap program, said the Botika ng Bayan will be giving maintenance medicines for almost all diseases.

“We can give as much as a one month supply of medication. The amount of medicine that we will give will depend on the needs of the patient. All they have to do is bring their prescription here,” Mitaran said.

She said that even patients from private hospitals may ask for medicines from  the Botika ng Bayan. (Funny Pearl Gajunera/PNA)