PhilHealth covers first-line anti-TB drugs
The agency assured members that the cost of these anti-TB drugs will not be deducted from their P20,000 annual GAMOT benefit limit.
Members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and their dependents will soon gain access to free first-line anti-tuberculosis medications starting 1 November, state insurance officials announced.
PhilHealth acting president and CEO Beverly Ho signed PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0018 on 13 October, establishing guidelines that allow eligible patients to obtain the anti-TB medications through accredited facilities.
“The policy advances PhilHealth’s commitment to strengthening comprehensive primary care through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program or YAKAP and supports the Unified National Agenda for Health, particularly its pillar on a functional primary care system,” the agency said in a statement.
Under the new circular, patients diagnosed with confirmed drug-susceptible tuberculosis may receive covered medications from PhilHealth-accredited Guaranteed Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) facilities based on prescriptions issued by YAKAP physicians.
The covered first-line anti-TB drugs include Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Pyrazinamide.
PhilHealth stated that up to a one-month supply of the prescribed medications may be issued per transaction. Accredited GAMOT facilities are required to dispense the full prescribed quantity within two days of the prescription date.
The agency assured members that the cost of these anti-TB drugs will not be deducted from their P20,000 annual GAMOT benefit limit. However, PhilHealth cautioned that members must submit claims within the prescribed timeframe or assume the costs out of pocket.