ANY valid identification cards should allow senior citizens to avail of the 20 percent discount on medicines, the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca) said.
This is specifically provided for in a memorandum circular that was released by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) in 2014.
“What we did in (Osca) was to give the memorandum circular to all the pharmacies of the city, so that even without Osca ID the senior citizens can avail 20 percent (discount). This memorandum circular was unimplemented, so right now we have dispatched it to all the pharmacies in Davao City,” said Luis Moran, assistant head of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs, during a press conference last Thursday, October 19.
Moran said Osca has recently distributed to various pharmacies a letter for public information on the FDA Advisory Number 2014—054, which indicates the senior citizens can avail 20 percent discount in their medicines from all hospital and private retail pharmacies by presenting any valid identification card which reveal their age.
Based on the copy of the FDA Advisory 2014-054, it was stated the senior citizens may present: identification card issued by the city, or municipal mayor or Osca or the barangay captain of the place where senior citizens reside, apart from that, senior citizens can also present Philippine Passport, or any government issued identification documents indicating the elderly’s birthdate. These may include driver’s license, voter’s ID, Social Security System (SSS)/Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) card, Professional Regulation Commission card, and postal ID, among others.
The memorandum circular also stated that senior citizens must bring their Purchase Slip Booklets for the purpose of recorded medicines purchased for every transaction.
It also informed the public that a “doctor’s prescription is not required for over the counter medicines to avail of the 20 percent discount.”
“All drug outlets and hospital pharmacies are hereby required to grant 20 percent discount on medicines purchased by the senior citizen’s upon presentation of any of the above requirement. Sanctions and Penalties shall be imposed by the FDA as stated in the Section 7 of the R.A. No. 9994, amending the Section 10,” the memorandum circular read.
Punishment for the first offense of this act include imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than six years and a fine of not less than P50,000 but not exceeding P100,000 for the first offense.
For the subsequent violation, imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than six years, and a fine of not less than P100,000, but not exceeding to P200,000.
Letters of compliance for pharmacies with attached FDA memorandum order was signed by Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affairs Azucena Bajao and lawyer Victorio Advincula, City Council Committee on Social Services, last September 28.