PhilHealth and Southstar Drug Launch Campaign to Boost Generic Medicine Access

MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Southstar Drug have joined forces to expand access to affordable medicines and strengthen public health literacy through a community-focused campaign.

The partnership, which commenced last month, centers on the "Kasama sa Pag-Galing" initiative designed to equip Filipinos with practical knowledge about generic medications and their proper usage. The campaign targets communities across the country, providing guidance on reading prescriptions, appropriate over-the-counter medication selection, and refill planning strategies.

Generic medicines offer a cost-effective alternative to brand-name drugs, containing the same active ingredients and meeting stringent quality standards. By partnering with a major retail drugstore chain, PhilHealth seeks to leverage existing pharmacy infrastructure to reach broader segments of the population and normalize the use of generic medications among Filipinos.

The "Kasama sa Pag-Galing" program reflects efforts to improve medication access and patient safety, particularly among communities with limited healthcare resources. Through education and accessibility initiatives, the collaboration aims to reduce out-of-pocket medication expenses for Filipino families while promoting informed health decisions.

PhilHealth continues to expand partnerships with private healthcare providers and retail networks as part of its broader strategy to enhance health insurance coverage and service delivery across the archipelago.