FDA launches medicine discount information drive for elderly

MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is launching an information campaign to ensure that senior citizens take advantage of the booklet-free rule for the 20-percent medicine discount.

FDA director general Samuel Zacate said he had formed a task force to mount the information campaign this year.

Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing yesterday, Zacate noted that many senior citizens are unaware of the recent Department of Health (DOH) order removing the booklet requirement for senior citizens to avail of discounts when purchasing medications.

“Most senior citizens and pharmacies are unaware of this, so we have to spread the information and promote vigilance to ensure they implement the DOH order,” Zacate said.

“That’s why I created a task force this January for the elderly. They are currently conducting a meeting on how they will implement it,” he added.

Zacate said the task force should find ways to enable the elderly to avail themselves of that privilege, as most of them ask others to buy their medications, while ensuring that the pharmacy won’t suffer from abuse.

This year, the FDA is also making efforts to achieve a zero backlog in processing various applications filed within the agency, the administration’s director general said.

Zacate revealed that he intends to launch “Operation Backlog Watch” to achieve his goal.

Last year, he said, the FDA extended the validity of health product licenses as part of its effort to streamline the process and address the backlog.