Echiverri vows affordable medicine

Caloocan City government-run pharmacy has opened in front of city hall, selling affordable but quality medicine under a health care program set up by Mayor Enrico Echiverri.

Echiverri’s "Botika ng Barangay"program is meant to help Filipinos cope with the cost of living.

A licensed pharmacist from the Caloocan City Health Department will be on duty at the Botika ng Barangay to ensure the proper dispensation of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs.

Echiverri added that the pharmacy was set up for those who have been very busy and could not buy medicine from the Botika ng Barangay in their localities, and those who are making transactions at city hall.

City Councilor Ricojudge Echiverri, also the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, initiated the setting up of the Botika ng Barangay in front of city hall.

According to the young Echiverri, they will continue to push for measures to ensure that each barangay in Caloocan has its own Botika ng Barangay.

With the efforts exerted by the mayor’s office, the local government earned the distinction of having the most number of these community-based pharmacies compared to other local government units in the country.

Echiverri said medicines at all Botika ng Barangays are all generic brands, but are equally effective and at a much lower prices — usually about 50 percent lower.

He pointed out that Botika ng Barangay pharmacies should help cope with the usual high cost of medicine.

"With the establishment of these Botika ng Barangay in the city, the people could now avail of quality medicines at very much lower prices," he said.