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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Malaking ginhawa': Bong Go lauds DOH for scrapping senior citizens' med booklet requirement

'Malaking ginhawa': Bong Go lauds DOH for scrapping senior citizens' med booklet requirement

Published Dec 26, 2024 07:52 am

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday, December 26 lauded the Department of Health (DOH) for scrapping the need for senior citizens to present their medical purchase booklet to avail of the mandated 20 percent discount on medicines.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, lauded Secreary Teodoro Herbosa for issuing Administrative Order (AO) No. 2024-0017, which formally eliminates this requirement for senior citizens.

The senator said this initiative is seen as a significant move toward reducing the inconvenience faced by seniors in accessing affordable medicines as the DOH chief assured their commitment to alleviate the unnecessary burdens on the elderly.

“This is a timely step to ensure that our senior citizens are given the appropriate benefits according to the law,” Go said referring to Republic Act (RA) No. 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

“The old requirements should not be an obstacle to their health and rights,” the senator stressed.

Under the new administrative order, senior citizens need to only present valid identification (ID) and a doctor's prescription to claim their discount.

The new directive abolishes several procedural requirements outlined in previous issuances, including the use of purchase booklets for monitoring over-the-counter (OTC) medicine purchases.

According to Herbosa, the adjustments were necessary to realign DOH guidelines with RA No. 9994 and are part of a broader effort to humanize healthcare policies and ensure accessibility for vulnerable populations.

“The important thing is that the process is simplified and inconvenience is avoided. The law is for man, not the man who must adjust to the law,” Go emphasized.

Go noted that the DOH administrative order is already in effect and is expected to immediately benefit millions of senior citizens nationwide.

The senator said he expects drugstores and pharmacies to have been instructed to implement the changes immediately and seamlessly to ensure smooth transactions.

“When there is an opportunity to make the systems easier, let's do it,” Go said.

Related Tags

expanded senior citizens act Senior citizens Bong Go Department of Health (DOH)
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