The Drugstores Association of the Philippines clarified that the directive of Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to remove the purchase booklets needed by senior citizens to avail discounts when buying medicine at pharmacies cannot be implemented immediately.

In an interview, Vicente Briones, president of the association, noted that while they are committed to helping senior citizens, there are procedures under the Administrative Code stating that all government directives need to be presented and registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) before they can be enforced.

The ONAR is closed until the conclusion of the Christmas and New Year period, according to its recent announcement.

Briones stated that at the Congressional hearing, they refused to remove the purchase booklet because it is needed to monitor the medications purchased by senior citizens.

"The purchase booklet, together with the prescription, is the only basis for pharmacies to determine if the medicine bought by senior citizens is sufficient or lacking. If it is sufficient, they are advised to return and consult their doctor. Their medication can be changed, increased, or reduced," Briones explained.

The association of pharmacies in the Philippines also worries, according to Briones, that the absence of a purchase booklet might open opportunities for abuse.

"From our perspective as pharmacists, any deficiency or excess in the medication of our senior citizens could be harmful to them. We are just after the health and welfare of the senior citizens and the rational use of medicines. This might also be open for abuse, particularly with over-the-counter medicines, if the purchase booklet is removed. Since over-the-counter medicines do not require a prescription, what will be our basis at the pharmacy? We hope our government establishes a unified monitoring system to avoid potential abuse and also to protect the business sector," said Briones.

Yesterday, December 23, 2024, Herbosa issued Administrative Order 2024-0017, mandating the removal of purchase booklets from the requirements for senior citizens when they purchase their medicine at pharmacies.

The requirement for a doctor's prescription and a senior citizens ID will remain.