Generika Drugstore, Valenzuela City launch country’s first citywide PhilHealth GAMOT Partnership

Generika Drugstore and the City Government of Valenzuela launched the very first partnership between a nationwide drugstore chain and a local government unit (LGU) providing an entire city access to essential medicines for free under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)’s Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) Program.

On Friday, about 600 Valenzuela City residents underwent medical consultation from PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP)-accredited doctors from the City Health Department and received prescribed medicines onsite for free thru PhilHealth’s GAMOT from Generika Drugstore.

“This is ginhawa to the fullest. Working with the City Government of Valenzuela allows us to showcase our Ginhawang Generika promise while serving our fellow Filipinos,” said Adrian Gino Guinto, President and Chief Executive Officer of Generika Drugstore.

Under this partnership, YAKAP-registered residents of Valenzuela City who have undergone medical consultation in YAKAP-accredited clinics and have prescriptions with unique security codes (UPSC) can claim up to P20,000 worth of essential medicines in any of the ten (10) Generika Drugstore branches in Valenzuela City that have been accredited by PhilHealth as GAMOT Providers:

• Dalandanan

• Parada Capt. Cruz

• Bagbaguin Mariano

• Gen. T. De Leon

• Malinta Santiago

• Maysan Tongco

• Paso de Blas

• Pio St. Marulas

• Poblacion 1 MH Del Pilar (Polo)

• Veinte Reales

Because of up to 85% savings that consumers can get for buying Actimed Quality Generics, YAKAP beneficiaries can buy significantly more medicines—enough to complete their doctors’ prescriptions.

“We are honored to be part of this pioneering partnership. We thank Generika Drugstore and PhilHealth for helping us make Valenzuela City a truly progressive city where no Valenzuelano family gets left behind,” said City Mayor Wes Gatchalian.

For his part, PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in ensuring the success of the government’s flagship health programs. “With active partners like Generika Drugstore and Valenzuela City, Filipinos can rest assured that PhilHealth can help, wherever and whenever they need it,” said Dr. Mercado.

In turn, Guinto thanked partners and stakeholders whose openness and collaboration were key in building the partnership. “With the AC Health group’s support, we invite like-minded local chief executives to follow suit and together, let’s push ginhawa within closer reach of Filipino families,” he added.

To date, 171 Generika Drugstore branches nationwide have been accredited as GAMOT providers. For the full list, click here. 

Live a Heart-Healthy Life with Potassium

With high blood pressure and heart disease as the leading causes of death globally, proper intake of vitamins and supplements such as potassium is the easiest and most convenient way to counter heart problems.

Here are things you can easily follow to steer clear from an unhealthy heart:

Move it. No matter how much you weigh, sitting for long periods of time could shorten your lifespan. If you work at a desk, remember to take regular breaks to move around. Go for a quick stroll during your lunch break as taking a daily half-hour walk is even better for your physical and mental health.

Avoid processed food. Processed food tends to be high in sodium, and low in potassium. On the other hand, homemade meals are usually lower in sodium and higher in potassium. To avoid serious heart problems, consider buying more fresh produce and making meals at home.

Take a potassium supplement. Potassium, a mineral found in bananas, milk, and oranges, plays an important role in keeping us healthy. This mineral is crucial for everyone, and disrupting optimal body levels of it can be very dangerous. Increasing potassium through diet is recommended in adults with blood pressure above 120/80 who are otherwise healthy.

But for those who do not have much time to prepare healthy meals, a potassium supplement is available OTC to make it convenient to achieve the required daily dose.

Neutra K is a simpler, better, and easier way to meet a person’s potassium needs. The Philippines’ first potassium food supplement with no prescription needed, Neutra K is sourced from one of the world’s leading producers of natural ingredients. The potassium in Neutra K is non-acidic, has no artificial flavors and preservatives, and effectively promotes a more regulated acidity in the body to prevent the potential ill-effects of prolonged imbalance.

Taking Neutra K tablets twice a day – one during breakfast and another during dinner – makes it more convenient to stay healthy. Neutra K is available in 300 mg tablets, in boxes of 100 or 12, exclusively in Mercury Drugstore branches nationwide.