Filipinos covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) may now receive free medicines valued at up to P20,000 per year through the newly launched Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (PhilHealth GAMOT) program.
The expanded benefit includes 75 types of medicines for various illnesses such as infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart ailments, nervous system disorders, and other supportive treatments.
To access the free medicines, members must be enrolled in their preferred PhilHealth YAKAP clinic, undergo a doctor’s assessment, and secure a prescription with a unique prescription security code. This can then be presented along with a valid government ID at any accredited GAMOT facility.
Currently, participating outlets include Vidacure branches in Muntinlupa and Quezon City; Generika Drugstore branches in Parañaque, Navotas, Quezon City, and Taguig; CGD Medical Depot Inc. at Vertis North; and Chinese General Hospital. Two more facilities are set to join soon.
PhilHealth said GAMOT is part of its improved YAKAP Program—an upgraded version of the former Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta)—which now includes free medicines, check-ups, laboratory tests, and cancer screening.
PhilHealth President Dr. Edwin Mercado earlier stressed that the state insurer is shifting its focus toward primary care and early detection, with the aim of making healthcare “more accessible and affordable” for every Filipino.
