Southstar Drug has launched “Kasama sa Pag-Galing,” a campaign aimed at helping families better understand generic medicines and develop practical habits to maintain treatment continuity, from understanding prescriptions to managing recurring medicine costs and refill schedules.
In line with Generics Awareness Month, “Kasama sa Pag-Galing” features health education on generic medicines, medicine labels and prescriptions, responsible over-the-counter use, and refill planning. During the launch, Southstar Drug pharmacists provided one-on-one guidance, while volunteer doctors offered free consultations, especially to senior citizens with long-term health conditions.
A highlight of the day-long event was Southstar Drug’s partnership with PhilHealth. Southstar is an accredited pharmacy for PhilHealth’s GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) benefit under the YAKAP, or Yaman ng Kalusugan Program.
YAKAP is PhilHealth’s primary care program that connects members and eligible dependents with a selected YAKAP facility for primary care services. Under GAMOT, eligible beneficiaries can access a broader range of covered outpatient medicines. The program expands medicine access from the 21 essential medicines available through YAKAP facilities by adding 54 more generic medicines, bringing the total to 75 covered medicines. This broader list supports the treatment of a wider range of illnesses and outpatient conditions.
As a matter of procedure, before covered medicines can be dispensed through an accredited GAMOT facility, patients must first consult their selected YAKAP facility and obtain the appropriate prescription from a YAKAP physician. The patient then may go to any accredited GAMOT facility, such as Southstar Drug, to obtain the prescribed medicines, subject to applicable PhilHealth program requirements.
Beyond dispensing medicines, Southstar Drug also assists beneficiaries with YAKAP registration and provides more information about the GAMOT benefit. Southstar also helps connect beneficiaries with YAKAP-accredited doctors who can prescribe the medicines that Southstar Drug can subsequently dispense through the program. This coordination helps beneficiaries seek
readily the healthcare services they need and access the covered medicines prescribed.
Southstar Drug will bring “Kasama sa Pag-Galing” to more communities nationwide, with schedules and location-specific services announced through its official channels.
Southstar Drug is one of the Philippines’ oldest drugstore chains, founded in 1937 in Naga City. With more than 700 stores nationwide, Southstar Drug provides customers with access to prescription and over-the-counter medicines, health and wellness products, personal care items, and pharmacist support. Through its store network and digital channels, Southstar Drug serves
communities nationwide by making everyday healthcare needs more accessible and convenient. Southstar Drug is part of the drugstore segment of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc.
