1st 24-hour Botika ng Bayan outlet opens in Pasay City
 

Philippine Star - January 17, 2007

The first Botika ng Bayan (BnB) outlet to serve the public 24 hours a day was inau­gurated yesterday by Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan, chair­man and president of state-owned Philip­pine International Trading Corp. during simple ceremonies held in Pasay City.

Located inside the Caltex Star Mart along Airport Road in Pasay City, BnB-Botika 1 is operated and owned by Ignacio and Marit­ess Amaiz.

This is the first part­nership of PITC and Star Mart, Pagdangan­an said, adding that he hopes to better serve the public by opening up more BoB outlet in partnership with con­venient stores all over the country.

Botika 1 will sell low-priced quality drugs sourced by PITC from abroad and from local manufacturers. These are essential medicines common1y bought in the country today.

Launched in De­cember 2005; the Boti­ka, ng Bayan program is PITC’s strategic program to make essential quality medicines available, accessible, and affordable to the public. Targeted with­in the year are 2000 Botika ng Bayan outlets.

To ensure quality, all the medicines sold in various BnB outlets nationwide have passed through the quality control and product registration standards of the Bureau of Food and Drugs.

As we help each other, we help our people avail of quality medicines at prices they can afford without sacrificing its efficacy, something that a cartelized situation ruling the local market has deprived them for decades,” Pagdanganan said.

Through the Botika ng Bayan network, Pagdanganan hopes to reform the  present pharmaceutical situation in the country  wherein commonly bought medicines are priced six to 10 times higher than those sold in India, Pakistan and Thailand.

“If prices are low­ered by half their present levels, we can generate savings by as much' as P50 billion annually," Pagdangan­an said, adding, the lo­cal pharmaceutical market generates an annual average sales of P80 to P100 billion.

“There are a total of 1,263 accredited and full Botika ng Bayan outlets all over over the country and we hope to add more to better serve the public.” Pagdanganan said.

PITC is the lead government agency in the procurement and distribution of low-priced quality medicines throughout the country in partnership with the Department of Health, Bureau of Food and Drugs, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

 
summary of archives
 
 
PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION
National Development Company Bldg.,
116 Tordesillas Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City
Trunk Line (632) 818 98 01 Fax Nos.: (632) 892 20 54 892 07 82
E-mail Address: pitc@pitc.gov.ph
 
Vision Statement
PITC is a dynamic and self-sustaining government corporation engaged in trading and marketing activities aimed at uplifting the quality of life of the Filipino people and promoting equitable
national progress
 
Mission Statement
As the lead government trading and marketing institution, PITC shall:
1
Make quality essential medicines available, accessible and affordable to the greater masses of our people;
2
Promote countertrade and exports thus creating job opportunities and improving the country's balance of payment;
3
Be the most efficient and cost-effective procurement institution for government entities;
4
Help stabilize prices and ensure supply of basic goods and services; and
5
Develop core competency and progressive career path for its employees.