Republic of the Philippines

PHILIPPINE PHARMA PROCUREMENT INC

ATTACHED AGENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Meeting with PHAP IN PHOTOS: Undersecretary Maria Blanca Kim B. Lokin, President and CEO of the Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) conveyed the corporation’s commitment to working with stakeholders of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry in making medicines affordable and accessible to the Filipino people during a meeting with the Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) last August 16, 2024 in Makati City. The event served as the platform for both organizations to discuss and agree on areas to collaborate on to increase access to medicines thereby ensuring the attainment of the President’s 8-point socio-economic agenda on affordable and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos.In attendance from PHAP were Ms. Janet Jakosalem, Trustee and Market Managing Director of Zuellig Pharma Philippines, Mr. Teodoro Padilla, Executive Director, Ms. Daisy Cembrano, Healthcare Policy Director, Mr. Richard Simon Binos, Health Systems and Market Access Manager, Mr. Michael DC Alzona, Head of Government Affairs of Zuellig Pharma and Mr. Ramon de Guzman of J and J Philippines. Undersecretary Lokin was joined by her Chief of Staff, Mr. Michael Salalima, Special Assistants, Atty. Francis Fernando and Mr. Luis B. Lokin, Vice President for Administration, Ms. Josefina Leona O. Riel, Mr. Clifferson Mendoza, Consultant and Ms. Eilene Rose A. Sison, Pharmacist.

PhilHealth and PPPI collaborate to ensure access to free medicines under Konsulta The Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) led by its President and CEO Undersecretary Maria Blanca Kim B. Lokin met with the top management of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) headed by President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. last 14 August 2024 at the PhilHealth head office. The meeting discussed initiatives that both corporations will collaborate on to ensure availability of medicines for the benefit programs of PhilHealth, specifically for the Konsulta and GAMOT programs. Konsulta or the Konsultasyong Sulit Tama program is a comprehensive outpatient primary care benefit package that provides capitation payments for free annual check-ups, health risk screening, selected diagnostic tests and medicines while GAMOT or the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment is a standalone out-patient program which covers select essential medicines. PPPI will be rolling out an improved Botika Ng Bayan to serve as the access points for medicines that are given free under the above-mentioned programs of PhilHealth. This initiative will ensure that patients who are diagnosed under the Konsulta program are assured access to the medicines they need to treat and manage their condition. An attached agency of the DTI, the PPPI is a subsidiary of the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and an affiliate of the National Development Company (NDC). It is mandated to procure and distribute medicines and medical supplies to both government and private hospitals and other health facilities nationwide. PPPI’s mission is to ensure that all Filipinos have access to safe, efficacious, and affordable medicines.

Government to enhance Botika ng Bayan program The Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI) under its new leadership will relaunch the Botika ng Bayan by the end of September to strengthen the program and make affordable medicines more accessible to the masses. A similar initiative, the Central Medical Store (CMS) which is now on pilot run has resulted in up to 42 percent savings for institutional clients local government units and hospitals. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday announced the appointment effective July 19 of Maria Blanca Kim Lokin as president and chief executive officer and Winston Castelo as chairman of the board of PPPI. PPPI, an attached agency of the DTI, is a subsidiary of the Philippine International Trading Corp. and an affiliate of the National Development Company. It is mandated to procure, store, and distribute medicines and medical supplies to both government and private hospitals and other health facilities nationwide. Usec. Lokin said PPPI has proposed to roll out a stronger Botika ng Bayan by tying up with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for the latter’s Konsulta, a primary care benefit package that provides capitation payments for free annual check-ups, selected diagnostics and medicines. The program is implemented through private Konsulta package providers (KPPs). She said the PPPI can further enhance its tieup with PhilHealth’s Konsulta with the establishment of Botika at Bakuna ng Mamamayan where vaccines can be administered. Another route is the franchise system where small private companies whether or not accredited with PhilHealth’s Konsulta can run a Botika ng Bayan. She Also said both routes are meant to accelerate the expansion of the Botika ng Bayan as well as of the Konsulta. Usec. Lokin said PPPI is also studying the establishment of an online pharmacy where consumers can place their orders and pick up the medicines from the nearest Botika ng Bayan. The DTI said the re-launch of the new Botika Ng Bayan will include the introduction of new product lines, such as care packs for distribution during calamities. It added as of July 31, 11 local government units and 37 Department of Health Retained Hospitals have availed of the CMS. CMS has facilitated the distribution of Remdesivir vials to 35 private hospitals at prices significantly lower than neighboring countries. Usec. Lokin said PPPI is able to source medicines and medical equipment at a cheaper cost through pooled procurement and government-to-government deals. The Botika ng Bayan traces its roots from the Botika ng Barangay aimed at providing access to essential medicines for common diseases in the community targeting indigents and the marginalized sectors of the population. July 09, 2024 Malaya Business Insight Source : https://malaya.com.ph/news_business/govt-to-enhance-botika-ng-bayan-program/