Philhealth: 21 essential medicines available under YAKAP for 2026

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) has assured that 21 essential medicines covered by its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) will remain available to its members this year.

This was according to PhilHealth Advisory No. 2026-0007 signed by PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado on January 14.

“Makakaasa po ang lahat ng Pilipino na patuloy silang makakakuha nitong 21 na mga gamot sa kanilang napiling YAKAP Clinic, habang mas lalo naming pinagbubuti ang mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth YAKAP at GAMOT,” Mercado said in a statement over the weekend.

(Filipinos can be assured that they can still get these 21 medicines at their chosen YAKAP Clinic as we continue to improve the benefits of the Philhealth YAKAP and GAMOT.)

YAKAP is an enhanced primary care benefit package covering consultations, indicated laboratory and cancer screening tests, and even prescribed essential medicines.

Meanwhile, GAMOT stands for Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment Program.

The 21 medicines available under YAKAP are:

• Amoxicillin
• Co-amoxiclav
• Cotrimoxazole
• Nitrofurantoin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Clarithromycin
• Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)
• Prednisone
• Salbutamol
• Fluticasone + Salmeterol
• Paracetamol
• Gliclazide
• Metformin
• Simvastatin
• Enalapril
• Metoprolol
• Amlodipine
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Losartan
• Aspirin, and
• Chlorphenamine.

Members can continue to access these medicines through the YAKAP-accredited clinics that they are registered with.

The state health insurer also reminded its partner YAKAP providers to keep sufficient stocks of the covered medicines and maintain service standards under the program.

“Patuloy po ang aming pagsisikap na pagbutihin pa ang paghahatid ng aming serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga YAKAP providers upang patuloy pang magkaroon ng kapanagatagan ang lahat ng Pilipinong umaasa sa PhilHealth,” Mercado added.

(We continue to strive to improve the delivery of our services through constant coordination with YAKAP providers for the benefit of Filipinos dependent on Philhealth.)

For further inquiries, members may contact their nearest PhilHealth regional office or call the Corporate Action Center at (02) 866-225-88, 09988572957, 09688654670, 09171275987, and 09171109812. — JMA, GMA Integrated News