PhilHealth is preparing to broaden its roster of free medications under the GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) package, aiming to ease out-of-pocket costs for many Filipinos.
At present, GAMOT covers 75 essential drugs, with a yearly cap of ₱20,000 per member. This expansion builds on the previous coverage of 21 medicines under the Konsulta benefits package, adding 54 more to support treatment for illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), high cholesterol, nervous system disorders, and other supportive therapies.
To access the free medicines, beneficiaries must:
- Be registered under the YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) through eGovPH, the PhilHealth portal, or in person at PhilHealth offices.
- Obtain a prescription from an accredited physician under the YAKAP/Konsulta network.
- Present the prescription and a government-issued ID at participating GAMOT clinics or pharmacies.
Currently, there are more than 4,300 partner GAMOT clinics nationwide, while GAMOT partner pharmacies are mostly operating in Metro Manila, with plans for further expansion.
PhilHealth’s move to extend free medicine coverage under the GAMOT package underscores its commitment to reducing healthcare costs for Filipinos and improving access to essential treatments.