LGUs urged to apply for Botika ng Barangays

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) urged local government units and interested organizations to apply for the establishment of Botika ng Barangays (BNB) in their areas.

This after DOH-7 recorded a low accomplishment in the total number of BNBs put up in the region.

Botika ng Barangay program coordinator Dr. Thelma Fernandez reported that of the 515 existing BNBs in Central Visayas, 507 are functional. There are 261 BNBs in Cebu, 155 in Bohol, 94 in Negros, and 9 in Siquijor.

Fernandez said that this marks only 27 percent accomplishment from the more than 1,500 BNBs the DOH is targeting to establish in the region. “Our target is to put up one Botika ng Barangay for every two barangays in the whole region.”

There are around 3,031 barangays in the four provinces- 1,195 in Cebu, 1,141 in Bohol, 561 in Negros Oriental and 134 in Siquijor.

This year, DOH targets to establish at least 700 BNB outlets across the region.

BNBs are drug outlets managed by legitimate community organizations or LGUs, with a trained operator and a supervising pharmacist.

It offers affordable medicine for indigents who cannot afford to buy branded ones.

BNBs sell, distribute, offer for sale or make available low-priced generic home remedies, over-the-counter drugs and two selected, publicly-known prescription antibiotic drugs, which are the amoxicillin and cotrimoxazole.

Generic drugs sold, according to DOH, are as effective as branded ones. Over-the-counter drugs sold are ascorbic acids, ferrosulphate, mefenamic acid, paracetamol, betadine and multivitamins. There are also maintenance drugs for anti-hypertension, anti-diabetic and anti-asthmatic among others.

DOH invited all interested LGUs and organizations to avail of the program and help their locality to have an access to affordable drugs.

Fernandez said that applicants just have to submit a resolution addressed to DOH Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta. The DOH will then immediately conduct site monitoring and validation and the training for operators.

Applicants must be able to submit a location or vicinity map of the BNB outlet and must present a certificate of attendance from trainings conducted by DOH for operators.

Each operator will receive P25,000 worth of medicine with 30 percent mark up. One third of the profit must be generated again for the purchase of drugs. The rest of the profit will be used for the overhead expenses and incentive for the assistants. — Jessica Ann T. Pareja/LPM (THE FREEMAN)