Clients seeking assistance with their maintenance medicines can use guarantee letters (GLs) issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at select pharmacies nationwide, said the agency’s spokesperson on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
“Under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, the DSWD has been engaging with selected pharmacies to help poor clients to purchase their medicine needs through the DSWD-issued GLs,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.
GLs are documents issued by the DSWD assuring payment to service providers on behalf of the client. This includes coverage for medications.
The DSWD said several pharmacies in Metro Manila are participating in this initiative, including Globo Asiatico Enterprises, Inc.; Onco Care Pharma Corporation; Urology Med Care, Inc.; Complete Solution Pharmacy and General Merchandise; Haran Pharmaceutical Product Distribution Ltd. Co.; Keminfinity, Inc.; Medinfinity, Inc.; JCS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Interpharma Solutions Philippines, Inc.; and pharmacies affiliated with the Drugstores Association of the Philippines.
Dumlao said residents in other regions seeking to use DSWD-issued GLs for medical needs can obtain a list of participating pharmacies by contacting or visiting their local DSWD Field Office.
The AICS program is part of the DSWD’s social protection services that provide medical, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance to individuals assessed to be in crisis by social workers.