Senior Citizens No Longer Need Purchase Booklets for Medicine Discounts: DOH Implements New Policy

by: Edjun Mariposque

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December 25, 2024

4–6 minutes

Calamba City, Philippines – In a move that simplifies access to benefits for senior citizens, the Department of Health (DOH) has officially removed the requirement for purchase booklets to avail of the 20 percent discount on medicines.

Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa announced on Monday the signing of Administrative Order No. 2024-0017, which eliminates the need for senior citizens to present a purchase booklet alongside a valid ID and doctor’s prescription at drugstores.

“I am also a senior citizen. I know it is hard to always bring a purchase booklet with you. Seniors need the discount on their medicines, and we must make it easy for them to get that,” Herbosa said.

The new order aligns with Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, revising some provisions of previous administrative orders without affecting other stipulations still in force.

“On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., we at the DOH give this gift of convenience and more affordable medicines to all of our senior citizens. Merry Christmas po!” Herbosa added.

Lawmakers Laud the Decision

The DOH’s move has garnered widespread support from lawmakers.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, praised the initiative, saying it addressed long-standing concerns raised during joint committee hearings.

“Bye-bye booklet. Thank the DOH for making permanent the change we requested. Salamat PBBM and salamat, Secretary Ted Herbosa,” Salceda said. He noted that the booklet requirement often caused seniors to miss out on critical medicines when misplaced or forgotten.

Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay of the United Senior Citizens Partylist also celebrated the announcement, calling it an “early Christmas gift” to the nation’s over 12 million senior citizens.

“The deletion of the requirement not only gives premium to elderly convenience, but it is also ecologically sound and friendly,” Magsaysay said.

She further urged other government agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to abolish similar booklet requirements for discounts on basic goods and services.

This development marks another step in the government’s efforts to improve accessibility and quality of life for senior citizens, providing them with greater convenience and dignity in availing of their rights.

Concerns Raised Over DOH’s Move to Scrap Purchase Booklets for Senior Citizens’ Medicine Discounts

While many hailed the Department of Health’s (DOH) new policy removing the need for purchase booklets for senior citizens to avail of the 20 percent discount on medicines, some expressed concerns over potential loopholes in its implementation.

Potential for Abuse and Fraud

Some critics raised concerns about the risk of abuse under the new system. What if, drugstores, for instance, could falsely claim that all medicines purchased were for senior citizens to avoid paying taxes? Without the purchase booklet, there is no clear audit trail to verify if the medicines sold at discounted rates were genuinely for seniors.

“What’s stopping unscrupulous drugstores from declaring all their transactions as senior citizen purchases? This might lead to revenue losses for the government,” said one critic from the retail sector.

Others questioned how relatives of senior citizens would avail of the discount on their behalf, particularly in cases where the senior is unable to visit the drugstore themselves.

“Without the purchase booklet, how will relatives prove that the medicines they are buying are for a senior citizen? The requirements must be clear to prevent confusion,” one observer pointed out.

Another concern raised was the potential misuse of the new policy. Some worried that individuals might falsely claim the discount by presenting forged IDs or prescriptions.

While the initiative aims to simplify access to medicine discounts for seniors, ensuring accountability remains a key challenge moving forward.

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