Philippine Aims for Expansion of Small Town Pharmacy Project

October 10th, 2007 --

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to make access to cheaper medicine one of the legacy’s of her administration by expanding the establishment of community-based drugstores next year. The purpose of the Community Based Pharmacy Project is to sell affordable medicines to the general public owing to the very high price of essential medicines being sold by drug companies in the country. Prices of medicine sold in the “Botika ng Bayan” is almost half of what is being sold in the regular drug store.

The President is in full support of Congressman Antonio Alvarez’s initiative to raise the budget allocation for the Botika ng Barangay expansion program from this year’s P98 million to P150 million in 2008 which will raise the number of outlets to 6,000 from the planned 3,913.

This project is timed accordingly with the passage of the of the Affordable Medicine Bill by Congress as well as with the venturing into purchase agreements between Pharmaceutical companies in India and our own private companies and Government. The Government Owned Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) is spearheading this project.

The Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has also extended the invitation to other private drugstore owners, traders and LGUs who wish to make deals with India’s pharmaceutical companies, that produce cheap medicines, to join her during her visit to China and India.

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