The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) announced Monday the nationwide launch of an expanded outpatient drug benefit package that covers essential medicines.
The program, dubbed PhilHealth Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (PhilHealth GAMOT), takes effect on Aug. 21, 2025, under PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0013.
PhilHealth GAMOT is a key component of the PhilHealth YAKAP Program, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced in his recent State of the Nation Address. The program is part of the administration’s vision for a healthier Philippines.
The initiative includes 75 types of free medicines with an annual benefit limit of P20,000 per beneficiary. These medications treat a range of conditions, including infections, asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart conditions and nervous system disorders.
To access the program, members should register at a PhilHealth YAKAP Clinic. After a medical assessment, their primary care doctor will issue a prescription with a Unique Prescription Security Code. The beneficiary can then present the prescription and a government-issued ID at any GAMOT facility.
As of Aug. 21, 2025, accredited GAMOT facilities include Vidacure, with branches in Muntinlupa City and Quezon City; Pharma Gen Ventures Corp. (Generika Drugstore), with branches in Parañaque City, Navotas City, Quezon City and Taguig City; CGD Medical Depot Inc. at Vertis North; and Chinese General Hospital.
PhilHealth said it is expanding its network to increase access for beneficiaries. In the National Capital Region, 24 other facilities have submitted a letter of intent to join the program.
PhilHealth president and chief executive Edwin Mercado said the agency is committed to providing access to cost-effective and quality health services.
“We first launched PhilHealth GAMOT in 2023, but it was only in a few provinces. That’s why we have now expanded it. It is every Filipino’s right to have access to necessary medicine without bearing a heavy financial burden,” said Mercado.
PhilHealth also asked its members to keep their records updated to ensure seamless transactions when availing of benefits.
 has launched an expanded outpatient drug benefit package, PhilHealth GAMOT, providing free essential medicines to members. The program, which takes effect August 21, 2025, covers 75 types of medications with an annual benefit limit of 20,000 pesos per beneficiary.){kind=link}