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.