The local government-run pharmacy in Borongan City, Eastern Samar has already dispensed free medicines to 35,077 poor residents since it opened in September 2021 at the city hall complex.

The city also opened satellite pharmacies in Sta. Fe, San Jose, Lalawigan, Benowangan and Maypangdan villages.

“The program significantly reduces the burden of medical expenses for its constituents, especially those who fall within the low-income margin,” Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda said in a statement Friday.

“Ensuring the good health of our residents is part of our efforts to achieve true progress because we believe that people are the strength of our city.”

The free medicine program is one of the local government initiatives recognized by the Department of Health regional office during the Eastern Visayas Health Summit and Awards 2024 held Dec. 10 and 11.

To avail of free maintenance medicines, recipients must present the doctor’s prescription issued within three months.

For other medicines, the prescription needs to be issued within seven days.

They must also present a photocopy of their voter’s identification or certification, a birth certificate if a patient is under 18 years old and an authorization letter with a valid identification if the person who will get the medicine is the patient’s representative. (PNA)