MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is considering replacing some medicines offered under its Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) Program and GAMOT (Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) Program, citing underutilization of certain items.

In a media interview, PhilHealth Vice President Walter Bacareza said the state insurer is evaluating the 75 medicines provided under the programs and may substitute less-used medications with those more frequently prescribed.

“Titignan namin kung ano ang resulta sa 75 medicines but we are planning to replace some of those medicines kung di naman ginagamit masyado. We also found out na there are medications na kasama sa 75 na di nagagamit palagi. We will replace that with the usually utilized medicines and we will expand those medications as years go by,” he said.
(We are looking at the results of our 75 medicines but we are planning to replace some of these medicines if they aren’t used very much. We also found out that there are medications included in the 75 that aren’t utilized frequently. We will replace that with the usually utilized medicines and we will expand those medications as years go by.)

Bacareza added that PhilHealth is coordinating with medical societies to ensure its medicine list reflects the latest medical standards and cost considerations.

“Our team for the Health Finance Policy Sector which develops new benefits, lagi pong nakikipag-usap with the societies kung ano bang bago and anong costing din,” he said.
(Our team for the Health Finance Policy Sector which develops new benefits always talks to societies on what is new and what the costing would be.)

Currently, the programs provide 75 medicines valued at around ₱20,000 per year, available through accredited GAMOT providers or pharmacies and based on a doctor’s prescription.

The list includes:

Anti-Infectious: Albendazole, Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Cefixime, Cefuroxime, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithromycin, Clindamycin, Clotrimazole, Cloxacillin, Co-amoxiclav, Co-trimoxazole, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Flucanozole, Ketoconazole, Mebendazole, Nitrofurantoin, Oseltamivir, Tobramycin.

Supportive/Other Therapy: Aluminum Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide, Butamirate, Celecoxib, Cetirizine, Colchicine, Chlorphenamine, Diphenhydramine, Ferrous Salt, Folic Acid + Iron Ferrous, Ibuprofen, Lagundi, Loratadine, Mefenamic Acid, Naproxen, Omezprazole, Oral Rehydration Salts, Paracetamol, Zinc.

Anti-Hypertensive & Cardiology: Amlodipine, Atenolol, Captopril, Clonidine, Diltiazem, Enalapril, Enalapril + Hydrochlorothiazide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Isosorbide Dinitrate, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Losartan, Methyldopa, Metoprolol, Tamsulosin, Telmisartan, Telmisartan + Hydrocholorothiazide, Valsartan, Valsartan + Hydrocholorothiazide.

Nervous System: Gabapentin.

Anti-Thrombotics: Clopidogrel, Aspirin.

Anti-Asthma & COPD: Budesonide + Formoterol, Fluticasone + Salmeterol, Ipratropium, Montelukast, Prednisone, Salbutamol, Ipratropium + Salbutamol, Tiotropium.

Anti-Diabetics: Dapagliflozin, Gliclazide, Metformin.

Anti-Dyslipidemia: Atorvastatin, Fenofibrate, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin.

The move aims to optimize the programs to better meet patient needs while ensuring medicines are relevant and widely used.