Makati invests over P8 billion in free maintenance meds for locals

Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Monday disclosed that the local government invested more than P8 billion to provide thousands of the city's residents with free maintenance medicines.

''With this program, we want to ease the worries of patients and their families over the cost of maintenance medicines,” Binay said in a press release.

"The city's substantial investment in the free medicine program demonstrates our commitment to the health and well-being of Makatizens."

Binay said Makati’s free medicines program covers medications and pharmaceutical products for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, enlarged prostate, gout, cough and colds, sexually transmitted infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, seizure disorder, allergy, ulcer, vertigo, gastrointestinal problems, and other diseases.

Binay said Makati City was focused on providing accessible healthcare for all its citizens.

“By ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary medications without financial burden, we aim to improve the quality of life and reduce the incidence of preventable diseases. This initiative helps promote a healthier, more equitable community,” she said.

The Makati Mayor added that the program started in 2017. In 2023, the program had served 618,966 patients, and from January to July 2024, it had already served 241,604 patients. — DVM, GMA Integrated News