Prescription Requirement to Avail Discount
- To avail of the 20% discount, senior citizens must present a prescription from a licensed medical practitioner.
- The prescription requirement covers both prescription and OTC drugs to prevent abuse of the discount privilege.
- Prescriptions must include full details: doctor's name, Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) number, patient’s name, and the generic name of the medicine.
- Prescriptions must comply fully with the Generics Law.
- Senior citizens who cannot afford private medical consultation may obtain prescriptions free of charge at government health centers or hospitals.
Dispensing Quantity and Refill Limits
- Dispensing is limited to no more than a one-week supply per single transaction.
- The prescribing physician may authorize refills on the prescription, not exceeding a total of one month’s supply for convenience.
Record-Keeping by Drugstores
- Drugstores must record the senior citizen's name, address, national ID number, the generic name of the drug, and the quantity dispensed in a special record book dedicated to Senior Citizens Discount transactions.
- Only one registered record book per drugstore is required.
- This record book is subject to inspection by both the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Partial Filling of Prescriptions
- In cases of partial dispensing, the pharmacist must indicate the quantity dispensed and the remaining balance on the prescription.
- The senior citizen must keep the partially filled prescription and present it later to complete the full prescribed quantity.
- The dispensing drugstore should obtain a copy of the prescription for their records.
Monitoring and Personal Record of Discount Availment
- Starting July 1, 1994, each senior citizen is to have a personal record form provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to monitor discount usage.
- The discount privileges are limited solely for the benefit of senior citizens.
Compliance and Enforcement
- All drug outlets are mandated to comply with these provisions under the Senior Citizens Act implementing rules.
- The Field Drug Regulatory Centers (FDRCs) are instructed to report any non-compliance when there is evidence of violations.
This amendment ensures effective control and equitable benefit distribution of the medicine discount privilege for senior citizens while safeguarding against abuse.