Anchored on the national mandate through Republic Act (RA) No. 6675 otherwise known as Generics Act of 1988, the Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) through the Strategic Management for Health Development Division (SMHDD) celebrated the Generics Awareness Month by convening selected Barangay Health Workers, Nurses, Midwives and other Health Care Workers from all over the region last Friday, September 15, 2023 at the A&A Bed & Breakfast Inn, Legazpi City.
This year’s celebration centers on the theme, “Kalusugan ay Palakasin, Generics ating Tangkilikin” which chiefly aims to stengthen awareness of the community to the generic medicines. According to Dr. Angela Maria B. Rempillo in her opening message, the activity also acknowledges and recognizes the efforts of the Barangay Health Workers, nurses, midwives, and other health care providers as partner of the department in intensifying knowledge on the proper use of the generics medicine. This is also emphasized by Mrs. Myrna P. Rayala in her key message that there is a need for the public to be aware of the benefits of the Generics Medicine to be able to reduce the stigma to achieve the aims of the Universal Health Care Law.
Mrs. Maribel L. Cruz, RPh expressed in her talk on Generics Awareness & Rationale Use of medicines that generics medicines helps the community to comply with drug regimen since it is affordable and has the same quality with that of branded medicines as it is also approved by the Food & Drug Aministration (FDA). She also corrected some myths and misconceptions on the proper use of medicines.
Ms. Jelly Rhio Nuarin, Pharmaceutical Programs Manager on the other hand, discussed Community Scenarios: How to handle and conduct effective Patient Counseling where essential points for effective patient counseling were showcased. Participants were also divided per province together with their provincial pharmacists to act out pre-identified scenarios in their communities on generics medicines and how to effectively conduct patient counselling, afterwards, an open forum was conducted to present gists of the presentation and to cater queries from the participants. On the later part of the program, Ms. Nuarin also presented the Sampung Halamang Gamot approved by the Department of Health that are proven to have therapeutic benefits.
Mr. Edwin Aldrin L. Lumbo, Health Systems Development Unit Head, expressed his gratitude to the participants and organizers for the active participation and for making the event a success.
(Source: DOH Bicol)