MANILA, Philippines — Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte urged the Department of Health (DOH) to investigate reports that certain drug stores or pharmacies have refused to grant discounts to senior citizens amid a new order requiring elderly customers to present their senior ID cards and prescription to avail of the discount.
“The DoH and other appropriate government Offices need to check on the compliance of drugstores with DOH AO (Administrative Ordr.) 2024-0017 and to crack down on erring establishments, as the reported refusal of certain pharmacies to sell prescription meds to elderly Filipinos is a blatant breach of RA (Republic Act No.) 9994,” Villafuerte said in a statement on Tuesday.
Villafuerte also urged the DoH and other relevant agencies to expand this privilege to allow persons with disabilities to present only their IDs and prescriptions when availing of medical discounts over the counter, as well as removing the seniors’ booklet when they purchase their basic commodities in groceries.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa issued the said administrative order last Dec. 23, saying that requiring senior citizens to present purchase booklets during every transaction to avail of the 20 percent senior discount results in “undue burden and difficulties.”
“I am also a senior citizen. I know it is hard to always bring a purchase booklet with you. Seniors need the discount on their medicines, and we must make it easy for them to get that,” Herbosa said.
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