By Analou De Vera The Department of Health (DOH)-Calabarzon recently opened the first 'Botika ng Bayan' (BNB) in the province of Cavite. Department of Health (MANILA BULLETIN) DOH-Calabarzon Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said that the BNB, located in Magallanes, Cavite, will provide free access to medicines for common illnesses. "Ang mga gamot dito ay libre magdala lang kayo ng kaukulang reseta upang kayo ay mabigyan (The medicines here are free. You just need to bring the prescription for you to avail the medicine)," said Janairo. The DOH-Calabarzon said that a total of P351,752 worth of medicines were provided in the BNB. The medicines that the residents can avail include paracetamol, antibiotics, topical ointments, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, anthelmintic, oral hypoglycemic, vitamins, micronutrients, antacids, and other essential drugs for asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, and even for family planning. Janairo assured residents of Magallanes, Cavite that there will be an adequate supply of medicines at the BNB. There were already three Botika ng Bayan in the region. The first BNB was opened at the municipality of Sta. Maria in Laguna, while the second was opened in Mauban, Quezon. “We are also planning to collaborate with other private pharmacy stores located in far-flung areas of the region so that we can provide our patients, especially those with maintenance medicines, the needed drugs for their medication," said Janairo.