SEN. Bong Go, in his address during the inaugural event of the Philippine Pharmacists Association Inc. (PPhA) Annual National Convention at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City on Thursday, April 11, outlined several programs to make access for medicines and health care services more readily available to citizens.

Go, chairman of the Committee on Health and Demography, expressed gratitude towards the association for its unwavering commitment to providing the Filipino people with essential medical expertise and enhancing the competencies of Filipino pharmacists to deliver quality health services globally.

"With your impressive network, you have become a unifying force for pharmacists from all walks of life. The association serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and professional development, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among its members," said Go.

"Today, we continue our collective efforts and collaboration in shaping the future of pharmacy in our country," he added.

Emphasizing the significance of the pharmacists' role in health care, he shared his initiatives to improve access to medicines, primarily for noncommunicable diseases. He highlighted his efforts in securing additional funding for the National Integrated Cancer Control Program.

"We were able to add P500 million for this program in 2021 and 2023. For 2024, we approved P1.25 billion for the Cancer Assistance Fund," he said, reflecting on the efforts to make critical medications more accessible to Filipinos.

The senator also shed light on the strides made in implementing Executive Order (EO) 104 under former president Rodrigo Duterte, which aims to regulate the maximum retail prices of essential drugs for chronic diseases, making health care more affordable.

"The drugs covered by the EO include those that address chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and pulmonary disease, among others. I am urging DoH and other concerned agencies to implement this effectively and ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of medicines Filipinos need," said Go.

He also underscored the enhancements made to the PhilHealth insurance benefit packages and the introduction of the PhilHealth Gamot program, designed to cover essential outpatient medications through a network of contracted facilities.

During a public hearing conducted by the Committee on Health and Demography on April 2, Go emphasized the importance of enhancing the availability and affordability of essential medicines for Filipinos through PhilHealth's initiatives.

Meanwhile, Go also called for unity and collective effort to improve the Philippine health care system. He urged the attendees to work together to champion enhanced access to medicines and health care services, emphasizing the critical role of pharmacists in achieving these goals.

"This Republic Act (RA) 10981, the Philippine Pharmacy Act passed last 2016... If this needs to be amended or you have suggestions, my office is open for you," he assured.