ILOILO – More Ilonggos can now access up to P20,000 worth of free essential outpatient medicines annually as the number of local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo Province with pharmacies accredited under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) GAMOT program has increased to nine.
The expansion follows the accreditation of pharmacies in three additional municipalities — Barotac Viejo, San Enrique and Lambunao — bringing government-supported outpatient medicines closer to residents, particularly those who face financial difficulties in purchasing prescribed drugs.
The three municipalities join six LGUs with existing PhilHealth-accredited Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) pharmacies: Sara, Concepcion, Oton, Passi City, Pototan and San Joaquin.
According to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the expansion marks another significant step toward improving access to affordable healthcare and reducing the financial burden of outpatient medication among Ilonggo families.
“We are proud to celebrate this significant milestones, which strengthen access to essential medicines and quality health services for every Ilonggo,” the IPHO said in a statement.
Under the GAMOT program, eligible PhilHealth members and their qualified dependents may receive up to P20,000 worth of covered essential outpatient medicines annually through accredited pharmacies.
The benefit is intended to help patients obtain prescribed medications without shouldering the full cost, making essential treatment more accessible to families with limited financial resources.
HOW TO AVAIL OF FREE MEDICINES
To access the benefit, eligible PhilHealth members must first register with their preferred PhilHealth YAKAP Clinic or enroll through the PhilHealth Member Portal available on the eGovPH mobile application.
They must then consult their registered YAKAP primary care physician, who will conduct a medical assessment and determine whether medication is necessary.
If medicines are prescribed, the physician will issue an electronic or printed prescription containing a Unique Prescription Security Code (UPSC) generated through the GAMOT application or portal.
Patients may then proceed to any PhilHealth-accredited GAMOT pharmacy and present their prescription together with a valid government-issued identification card to obtain the prescribed medicines covered by the program.
The IPHO emphasized that the growing network of accredited pharmacies reflects its continuing commitment to ensuring that quality, accessible and affordable medicines are available to communities throughout Iloilo Province./PN
