Philhealth eyes replacement of free, underutilized medicines under YAKAP

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) said it is studying the possibility of replacing some medicines provided under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and the GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) Program.

In an interview with GMA News Online at the SSS Diliman branch on Thursday, PhilHealth Vice President Walter Bacareza said some of the free medicines provided under these programs are underutilized.

The state health insurer is now studying the possibility of replacing some medicines with other commonly used medications.

“Titignan namin kung ano ang resulta sa 75 medicines but we are planning to replace some of those medicines kung di naman ginagamit masyado. We also found out na there are medications na kasama sa 75 na di nagagamit palagi. We will replace that with the usually utilized medicines and we will expand those medications as years go by,” he said.

(We are looking at the results of our 75 medicines but we are planning to replace some of these medicines if they aren’t used very much. We also found out that there are medications included in the 75 that aren’t utilized frequently. We will replace that with the usually utilized medicines and we will expand those medications as years go by.)

Bacareza said they are in coordination with medical societies to ensure they are able to keep up with the latest medical developments.

“Our team for the Health Finance Policy Sector which develops new benefits, lagi pong nakikipag-usap with the societies kung ano bang bago and anong costing din,” he added.

(Our team for the Health Finance Policy Sector which develops new benefits always talks to societies on what is new and what the costing would be.)

READ: PhilHealth YAKAP’s services, 75 free medicines: Who can avail and how

At present, there are 75 free medicines under PhilHealth’s YAKAP and GAMOT program.

The medicines are worth P20,000 a year and should be based on a doctor’s prescription.

These are available in accredited GAMOT providers or pharmacies.

The free medicines are:

Anti-Infectious 

• Albendazole 
• Amoxicillin 
• Azithromycin 
• Cefixime 
• Cefuroxime 
• Ciprofloxacin 
• Clarithromycin 
• Clindamycin
• Clotrimazole 
• Cloxacillin 
• Co-amoxiclav 
• Co-trimoxazole 
• Doxycycline 
• Erythromycin 
• Flucanozole 
• Ketoconazole 
• Mebendazole 
• Nitrofurantoin 
• Oseltamivir 
• Tobramycin 

Supportive/Other Therapy 

• Aluminum Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide 
• Butamirate 
• Celecoxib 
• Cetirizine 
• Colchicine 
• Chlorphenamine 
• Diphenhydramine 
• Ferrous Salt 
• Folic Acid + Iron Ferrous 
• Ibuprofen 
• Lagundi 
• Loratadine 
• Mefenamic Acid 
• Naproxen 
• Omezprazole 
• Oral Rehydration Salts 
• Paracetamol 
• Zinc 

Anti-Hypertensive & Cardiology 

• Amlodipine 
• Atenolol
• Captopril 
• Clonidine 
• Diltiazem 
• Enalapril 
• Enalapril + Hydrochlorothiazide 
• Hydrochlorothiazide 
• Isosorbide Dinitrate 
• Isosorbide Mononitrate 
• Losartan 
• Methyldopa 
• Metoprolol 
• Tamsulosin 
• Telmisartan 
• Telmisartan + Hydrocholorothiazide 
• Valsartan 
• Valsartan + Hydrocholorothiazide 

Nervous System 

• Gabapentin 

Anti-Thrombotics 

• Clopidogrel 
• Aspirin 

Anti-Asthma & COPD 

• Budesonide + Formoterol 
• Fluticasone + Salmeterol 
• Ipratropium 
• Montelukast 
• Prednisone 
• Salbutamol 
• Ipratropium + Salbutamol 
• Tiotropium 

Anti-Diabetics 

• Dapagliflozin 
• Gliclazide 
• Metformin 

Anti-Dysplipidemia 

• Atorvastatin 
• Fenofibrate 
• Rosuvastatin 
• Simvastatin

— JMA, GMA Integrated News