Davao City residents continue to benefit from free medicines provided by the city government through its 14 Botika ng Bayan (BNB) outlets located in district health offices and designated areas.
During the I-Speak Media forum on Thursday, Botika ng Bayan Head Gemma Pujanes highlighted the high demand for maintenance medicines, antibiotics, and vitamins.
“We have a large number of clients since we also cater to prescriptions from private consultations. Many patients avail themselves of medicines from the Botika ng Bayan,” Pujanes said.
Since the first Botika ng Bayan was established in 2018 at the Southern Philippines Medical Center Malasakit Center, the initiative has expanded to 12 additional branches located in the City Health Office (CHO) district satellite offices in Agdao, Buhangin, Calinan, District A (Claudio), District B (El Rio), District D (Jacinto), Marilog, Paquibato, Sasa, Toril-A (Proper), and Toril B (Daliao). Another BNB is also operational at the CHO Main.
Pujanes emphasized the importance of having pharmacists manage the BNBs to ensure the quality of medicines and minimize wastage.
“Before, medicines in health centers were managed by nurses and midwives who already had other responsibilities. Now, with pharmacists overseeing the Botika ng Bayan, we have greatly reduced medicine wastage,” she explained.
To further prevent medicine expiration and waste, Pujanes said BNBs exchange stocks between health centers and other facilities.
As the procurement process for the year is ongoing, some medicines are currently out of stock. However, the city ensures that essential medicines are available and that all distributed medicines are of high quality.
Regarding medicine distribution, Pujanes said the amount provided varies depending on the type of medication.
“For maintenance medicines, we provide a one-month supply, and prescriptions are valid for three months. For antibiotics, prescriptions are valid for only seven days, and we provide the full dose to prevent antimicrobial resistance,” she noted.
She encouraged Dabawenyos to take advantage of the Botika ng Bayan services.
“To all Dabawenyos, we want to inform you that you can avail yourselves of free medicines at our Botika ng Bayan. To do so, present an updated prescription, the patient’s ID, and if a family member is claiming the medicines, their ID as well. This is a privilege not available in all areas of the Philippines, so let’s make the most of it,” Pujanes said.
The Botika ng Bayan outlets are open from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
