‘Remove medicine booklet requirement for PWDs, too’

MANILA, Philippines — After removing the senior citizens’ purchase booklet requirement on their 20-percent discount for medicines, former senator Francis Pangilinan has urged the government to do the same for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to help alleviate their burden in purchasing medicines.

Pangilinan made the call after the Department of Health (DOH) issued Administrative Order (AO) 2024-0017, removing the purchase booklet requirement for senior citizens on their 20-percent discount for medicines.

“Like what they did for our senior citizens, we ask the DOH to remove the booklet requirement for our PWDs to get a discount on medicine,” he said. “This is a big help to ease the process for them in buying medicines and other medical needs.”

Pangilinan said a valid PWD ID and doctor’s prescription should be enough for them to avail of the discount provided by law.

Under DOH AO 2017-0008, or the Implementing Guidelines of Republic Act 10754, PWDs are required to present a purchase booklet, similar to the ones used by senior citizens.

Pangilinan, an advocate for the welfare of PWDs, pushed for the passage of Republic Act 10070 in the Senate as principal author. The law mandates the creation of a PWD Affairs Office in every province, city and municipality to ensure the effective implementation of PWD programs and services.