FLORIDABLANCA -- Re-electionist Mayor Eduardo Guerrero is batting for the establishment of more Botica ng Barangay in mountain villages of this town, especially for Aeta communities along the Porac-Floridablanca mountains.
Gurrero said the additional Botica ng Barangay would greatly improve the availability of essential drugs in communities that are very remote.
He said the establishment of more barangay pharmacies would be continued when he receives a fresh mandate as mayor.
The Botica ng Barangay or BNB is a Department of Health (DOH) program created to respond to the pledge of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to provide and ensure affordable medicines for the poor.
BNB medicines being distributed by DOH are of high quality, safe for intake and effective. It comprises essential drugs needed to treat the prevailing causes of mortality and morbidity.
“We have a handful of Botica ng Barangay but we want to increase these because we believe that the availability of essential medicines should start from the barangay level,” Guerrero said.
He said that Aeta communities in Floridablanca are the once in great need of such Botica ng Barangay.
BNBs are established through the help of local government units and are managed by the barangay were it is located.
Essential drugs such amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole, aluminum hydroxide, mefenemic, paracetamol, multivitamins, salbutamol, lagundi, sambong are among those medicines, which can be bought over the counter at BNB accredited centers.
Botica ng Barangay intends to continue the importation of high quality, safe, effective and affordable drugs for as long as prices of medicines in the country remain high to serve the poorer sector of our society, Guerrero added.
He promised also to continue a strong health and livelihood program for the town when he is re-elected this coming May 10.