Zambo Pharmacies Play Tough On Old Folks

Senior citizens in southern Philippines. Many old folks in Zamboanga City have complained about the refusal of many pharmacies to give them 20 percent discount of medicine purchases despite a law granting them the meager discount. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Mark Navales)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Many pharmacies in Zamboanga City have ignored repeated warnings by authorities to comply with the law granting 20 percent discount to senior citizens who are purchasing medicines.

“Many pharmacies make it so difficult for us to buy medicine. Often we are told that there is no stock or only their main branch can give the discount,” Corazon C. Herico, president of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines, Zamboanga Chapter, told the Philippine Information Agency here.

The Sangguniang Panlunsod previously held dialogues with drugstore owners to thresh out issues but nothing has been reached so far. Many senior citizens urged the authorities to sanction those violating the law.

Herico’s group has appealed many times to authorities, including the Drugstore Association of the Philippines to do something about their concern.

Many drugstores, she said, would require senior citizens to present new prescription every they buy the same medicines. Senior citizens complained the high cost of prescription fee is killing them.

Geraldine Balbuena, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, said they are monitoring the implementation of the Republic Act 9257, but do not have police power to enforce the law.

“Complaints should be lodge to the concerned agency,” she said.

Luwalhati Pablo, of the DSWD, clarified that senior citizens continue to enjoy the 20 percent discount, despite the 12 percent Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) added on their purchases of basic commodities and services.

Uldarico Fabian, division chief of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, said while many pharmacies fail to comply with the law, he lauded the transportation and food establishments as “sympathetic of the plight of the senior citizens.” (Mimi Bern-Edaga)