150 more Botika ng Barangay outlets to open

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri said yesterday residents of at least 150 barangays in the city will soon be able to avail of low cost yet quality medicines near their homes with the setting up of more Botika ng Barangay outlets.

Echiverri said that the national government initially awarded special licenses to some 20 barangays in the city for the operation of their own mini-pharmacies.

He said licenses were issued to Barangays 134, 166, 170, 173, 176, 177, 178, 180 and 184 in the District 1, and Barangays 3, 12, 22, 23, 52, 21, 68, 84, 8, 26 and 31 in District II and they would be able to operate their respective Botika ng Barangay.

Liga ng Barangay president and Councilor Rico Judge Echiverri said the local government will detail a pharmacist at every outlet to supervise the sale of drugs and a trained personnel who will man the store.

He said that most of the medicines being sold are generic drugs which have the same potency and quality with high priced branded medicines.

He said the Botika ng Barangay would sell quality drugs that is up to 50 percent cheaper than those being sold by established pharmaceutical outlets.

Amoxicillin 250 mg./ 5 ml. powder/ granule for suspension 60 ml. bottle will be sold at P21.39, or P58.11 cheaper than the selling price of 79.50 in other pharmacies.

Mefenamic acid 250 mg. cap/tab will be sold at P0.74, or P4.26 savings; Multivitamins/ 5 ml. syrup for children 60 ml. bottle will be sold at P27.11, or P38.14 lower than regular drugstores; multivitamins/ 5 ml. syrup for children 60 ml. bottle will be sold at 27.11 or P38.14 cheaper; multivitamins capsule will be sold at P2.05 or P5.92 savings; Paracetamol 250 mg./5 ml. syrup/suspension 60 ml. bottle will be sold at P21.39 or P56.86 savings.

At least 24 over-the-counter and prescription medicines will easily be availed at the stores at much lower prices that those in regular drug stores. — Pete Laude