Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, lauded the Department of Health (DoH) and Secretary Teodoro Herbosa for issuing Administrative Order (AO) No. 2024-0017.

This eliminates the requirement for senior citizens to present a purchase booklet to avail of the mandated 20 percent discount on medicines under Republic Act 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

The initiative is seen as a significant move toward reducing the inconvenience faced by seniors in accessing affordable medicines. Herbosa emphasized the department’s commitment to alleviating unnecessary burdens on the elderly when he announced the AO.

“This is a huge relief for our elderly. Sometimes, it’s difficult for them to bring the purchase booklet, yet they desperately need the discount on medicines. This addresses their concerns,” Herbosa said.

Go echoed these sentiments, expressing his support for the policy revision.

“This is a timely step to ensure that our senior citizens receive the benefits they deserve under the law. Outdated requirements should not hinder their health and rights,” Go said.

Under the new administrative order, senior citizens only need to present valid identification and a doctor’s prescription to claim their discount. The change abolishes several procedural requirements outlined in previous issuances, including the use of purchase booklets for monitoring over-the-counter medicine purchases.

Herbosa explained that the adjustments were necessary to realign DoH guidelines with RA 9994. These revisions are part of a broader effort to humanize healthcare policies and ensure accessibility for vulnerable populations.