Solon calls on DOH to remove or suspend limit on meds for elderly

A lawmaker on Thursday urged the Department of Health not to limit the dispensing of over-the-counter and prescription medicines for senior citizens.

In filing House Resolution 2420, Senior Citizen party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordones said the DOH should remove or suspend the limit in dispensing of over-the-counter and prescription drugs for the elderly.

He cited DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0032 stating that any single dispensing of prescriptive drugs should not exceed a one month supply of medicines for senior citizens while dispensing of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may be limited for a supply of one day, but should not exceed seven days.

"The removal or suspension of the limit in dispensing OTC and prescription drugs would allow our over 12 million senior citizens to store these drugs and maintain a supply for their medical needs beyond one week," part the resolution reads.

"This will consequently limit the need of our senior citizens to go out every week to purchase the drugs they need, which will therefore significantly lessen their possible exposure to the deadly COVID-19. Thus, promoting their health and well-being," it added.

Ordanes said the limitations have led to various complaints and have become "untenable" in light of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said these force senior citizens, who are vulnerable to coronavirus infection, to go out every week just to purchase their medicines.  —LBG, GMA News