The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has released its first payment under the GAMOT (Guaranteed Access to Medicines and Outpatient Treatment) program ahead of its 15-day commitment, turning over funds to CGD Medical Depot Inc., a PhilHealth-accredited retail pharmaceutical outlet located at Ayala Malls–Vertis North in Quezon City.
PhilHealth GAMOT is the newest enhancement to the agency’s primary care benefits package, YAKAP, and offers a comprehensive outpatient drug benefit covering essential medicines. The program expands the existing list of 21 medicines by adding 54 more essential drugs used to treat various conditions, including infections (anti-microbial), asthma and COPD, diabetes, high cholesterol (dyslipidemia), high blood pressure and heart conditions (cardiology), and nervous system disorders, along with other supportive therapies.
This initiative fulfills President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) to make medicines more affordable and accessible to Filipinos.
“This turnover is more than just payment for services rendered by our partner pharmacy—it is a fulfillment of our promise to bring life-saving medicines within reach of those who need them,” said PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado during the turnover ceremony held in Makati City.
Through partnerships with FDA-licensed retail pharmacies nationwide, PhilHealth ensures members can conveniently access prescribed essential medicines at accredited GAMOT facilities under the YAKAP program.
To avail of the benefits, members are encouraged to download the eGovPH mobile app, where they can register, select a YAKAP Clinic, choose their Primary Care Provider (PCP), and schedule their First Patient Encounter (FPE) for seamless processing and access to medicines.
With reports from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
