Senior Citizen Discount on Medicines: Requirements and Limitations

As a Senior Citizen, you can either buy your medicines personally or have someone else run the errand for you.  To be sure you are given your rightful discounts and privileges when purchasing your medicines, take note of the following reminders and requirements:

To avail of the 20% discount on medicines:

1. Present your Senior Citizen’s ID and Purchase Slip Booklet duly approved by the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) Chairman.
2. Present the Doctor’s prescription, making sure the following are clearly written:
   • Patient’s name, age, address, and date of prescription.
   • Generic name of the prescribed medicine.
   • Name and address of the doctor.
   • Doctor’s PTR number and S2 license (the latter is vital especially when prescribed medicines fall under the “prohibited and regulated drug” category).
3. If the Senior Citizen patient could not afford the consultation fees of a private doctor, he may visit the nearest health center or government hospital in his area and secure a prescription free of charge.
4. Any single dispensing should not be more than one week’s supply of medicines except of the following chronic conditions that require continuous use of medicines for a month:
   • Hypertension
   • Diabetes
   • Parkinson’s disease
   • Arthritis
   • TB
   • Cancer
   • Psychosis
   • Other illnesses that require extensive medication

The following should be recorded in a special record Book of Senior Citizens Discount provided under RA 7432:

1. Name of Senior Citizen
2. Address
3. SC ID number
4. Generic name of the drug/medicine
5. Number of units dispensed

Take note that some pharmacies may require additional proof of identification in cases when only a representative is sent to purchase the medicines.  While they acknowledge the fact that some Senior Citizens may not be physically able to visit a pharmacy, they also need to ensure that these medicines are dispensed for the Senior Citizen’s consumption only.

If you are sending someone else to buy your medicines for you, make sure he has all the required documents and is also ready with his own identification cards.

Source: http://www.doh.gov.ph