The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has started providing 75 essential types of drugs for free, worth up to P20,000 per year under the Guaranteed and Accessible Medication for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program.

The GAMOT package was launched on August 14 and took effect on August 21 under PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0013.

According to Rey Baleña, acting president of PhilHealth Corporate Affairs Group, the initiative expands the Konsulta Package under Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), which also includes free routine laboratory tests and cancer screening services such as mammograms and colonoscopies for early detection of chronic diseases.

He added that the original 21 medicines covering chronic illnesses have expanded into 75, treating diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, high cholesterol, nervous system disorders, and other supportive therapies.

“So, ito pong GAMOT ay naglalayon po na matulungan po natin iyong atin pong maraming mga kababayan na gumagastos po ng malaki para po sa kanila pong pagpapagamot, pag-inom ng gamot po, tutugon po para iyong mga kababayan natin ay tuluy-tuloy po silang makainom ng gamot na kailangan nila,” he said.

PhilHealth said that the program’s benefits will be available to members who are enrolled in a YAKAP clinic or with a Konsulta provider, either through the eGovPH app or by registering on-site at their preferred clinic.

Once registered, beneficiaries must obtain a prescription from their authorized YAKAP or PhilHealth-accredited physicians before availing of the free medicines at any GAMOT facility.

Any government-issued ID, along with the prescription, may then be presented to the clinic.

As of August, accredited GAMOT facilities are located at CGD Medical Depot Inc. at Vertis North, Quezon City; Vidacure with branches in Muntinlupa City and Quezon City; Pharma Gen Ventures Corp. (Generika Drugstore) with branches in Parañaque City, Navotas City, Quezon City, and Taguig City; and the Chinese General Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Meanwhile, 24 pharmacies and drugstores are applying for accreditation as GAMOT facilities.

Medical caravans were also recently deployed in remote areas, accompanied by physicians from Local Government Units (LGUs).

For more details on PhilHealth GAMOT, members may reach PhilHealth’s 24/7 touch points at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, 0917-127-5987, or 0917-110-9812. (JMP/PIA-NCR).

Pathma Sheida Omandam

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PhilHealth’s GAMOT program offers 75 medicines for free