The Department of Health (DOH) has removed the requirement for senior citizens to present purchase booklets to get their 20% medicine discount and VAT exemption. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa says this makes it easier for seniors to access their benefits.
A NUMBER of senior citizens have reported problems with getting their medicine discounts from the drug stores. By law, they are entitled to a 20-percent discount plus no value-added tax (VAT) on their medicines. But some of them forget to bring their purchase booklets, which is a requirement to avail of the discount. Others do not have booklets, since their local government units have run out of copies to give to the senior citizens.
So, in effect, they are unable to get the benefits that are due them.Other senior citizens have decried the practice of requiring them to bring their purchase booklets, calling it 'undignified.'This is bound to change. Senior citizens are no longer required to present the purchase booklet to avail themselves of the 20-percent discount when buying medicine, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said last Dec. 23. The Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order (AO) 2024-0007 has removed the requirement listed under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.'I am also a senior citizen. I know how hard it is to always bring a purchase booklet with you. Seniors need the discount on their medicines, and we must make it easy for them to get that,' Herbosa said.Senior citizens' groups immediately hailed the amendment. Under the AO, senior citizens no longer need to present a purchase booklet to a bookstore, along with valid identification and a doctor's prescription, in order to get a 20-percent discount and VAT-free purchase.Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, chairman of the Committee on Senior Citizens in the House of Representatives, also hailed the move. He added, 'We also hope that this policy will include our persons with disability, who also have discount booklets themselves.'House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo had pushed for the removal of the purchase booklet system for senior citizens. He called the requirement 'useless' and 'an insult' to the elderl
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