Discounts on Medicines
July 27, 2009
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20 Responses to “Discounts on Medicines”
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Good day! !
May we request your good agency to look on the violation of Mercury Drugs Store and St. Joseph Drug Store for not giving 20% discount to PWDs on the purchase of medicines. Assuming that their head office issued an order to all its branches that the 20% discount for PWDs will not be accepted, does this mean that PWDs can no longer avail said privileges. What is then now the intention of the framer of the said law in enacting this. Thus, this representation would like to request from your good agency to act immediately on this matters it is not only in our locality that we have already been experiencing this problem. Thank you
Herminio
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Good morning, I agree with Mr. Herminio Mendoza. I tried using the PWD ID twice at Mercury Drug Store and it was not honored twice despite that I have been showing them a copy of the R.A.9442. They said they are waiting for the memo that will come from NCDA. We are not isolated cases, I learned from other parents of PWD’s that they have the same problem with Mercury Drug Stores. Could someone please enlighten us why Mercury Drug Stores can get away with it? Mr. Mendoza’s comment above was dated September 16th and until now, no memo has been forwarded to Mercury Drug to take action. Hope this will be resolved soon. Thank you.
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Hello,
If R.A. 9442 is really an important law and NCDA is really empowered to implement it, why is it that NCDA is not doing any action to compel cities and municipalities not yet issuing PWD ID’s? Even establishments seem to ignore this law. Can the NCDA people do something to enforce the law? Not unless the people at the NCDA themselves do not know the law. I heard two people talking in the bus. They were discussing the question they posed to NCDA personnel they surveyed along the hall way of the NCDA office. It turned out that a lot of the people they asked do not even know that there is such a law. How I wished I had asked the two people’s identity and contact information so that I could have properly quoted them here and NCDA could have a good starting point in becoming more serious in implementing the act.
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2 B year 2001, does this fall under PWD and was also curious why the program is not open to all LGU like pasig City.
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Rolando S. Braza Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@mary arlene p. satuito,
Hi mary arlene,
I am from pasig and i got my pwe id at the health dept located at room 5, 5th floor city hall bldg. It is unfortunate, however, that you will have to get your purchase card for wet and dry goods from NCDA’s office at brgy. holy spirit in q.c.
regards
p.s.
you will have to bring with you a clinical abstract or certification on your disability and a 1×1 photo. Look for Ms. Necie
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Hello Concerned NCDA Officers,
This has reference to PWD patients who have been clinically diagnosed through their individual clinical abstracts or certifications from the the Municipal Health Office or its Satellite Offices or Stations at their respective Barangays. Needless to say, all of the required documentations are duly validated by City or Municipality Health Officers are entitled for the PWD ID Cards. Hence, may I request from your humble selves to dispense the attachments of the corresponding Clinical Abstracts considering the issuance of individual PWD IDs have been duly screened and evaluated. Henceforth, all PWD patients with IDs need not have to attach clinical abstract in purchasing over-the-counter medicines or basic commodities. I hope the NCDA managment shall heed to my request for hassle free. I hope my constructive suggestions merit your kind considerations and approval. Thank you.
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hello, my youngest daughter is 25 years old and is totally disabled since she underwent several surgical procedures due to hydrocephalus when she was barely 1 month old. i just learned of the NCDA from one of the staff of the billing department of Phil Children’s Medical Center where she was last confined for removal of her shunt. One of the requirements 6to avail of the 20% discount is an identification card, i dont know how she can get one, do i have to bring her to your office? or a a photograph suffice to show she is really totally a disable person, she cant see, hear, talk, walk or anything. in short she is an invalid and has to be be taken cared off. please i need your help,. thanks
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Good Afternoon Ma’am,
Nais ko lang po na ipaalam sa inyo na hindi po tinatangap sa MERCURY DRUG STORE at MEDEXPRESS and PWD id. Malaking tulong po sa mga may kapansanan ang magkaroon ng ganitong pribelehiyo lalong-lalo na sa mga gamot na bibilin. Sana po ay bigyan po ninyo ng kaukulang pansin ang hiling ng mga taong may kapansanan.
Salamat po.
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Good day! I also tried to use the PWD id of my son at mercury drug store and even told them that the TRO they are saying was already lifted, they say they are still waiting for some papers from the court. so sad…
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Good day!
I have just come from Mercury Trinoma, and there were no problems availing of the PWD discount for my wife’s medicine.
At long last!
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My wife went to Mercury Madison (Ash Creek, Greenhills) yesterday.
Firstly, she was told that there is a “time window” on when a PWD can avail of her privilege. This is a violation of the spirit of the law in that they are making things even more difficult for the PWD.
Secondly, my wife is also prescribed Polynerve (for her nerve damage). But because this medicine also has some vitamins included in its formulation, the branch was claiming that vitamins are included in the discount. Who are these pharmacists to question our doctors’ diagnosis? My reading of the laws and IRR is that “medicine” includes prescription AND non-prescription medicine, so long as its for the exclusive use of the PWD.
I believe that Mercury is also trying to limit the discount only to medicine that is specifically for the PWD’s medical disability condition (ex. insulin for diabetics). Is this also legal?
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kenneth yu Reply:
May 15th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
@Kenneth Yu,
Correction. …the branch was claiming that vitamins are NOT included in the discount.
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One of the member of our organization is now experiencing the non-acceptance of 20% discount on hospital bill of Mt. Carmel Diocesan General Hospital in Lucena City. Please help us to deal with this problem.. The patient has a chronic disease onwhich a regular weekly dialysis is badly needed.
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Just had a VERY stressful time at Mercury Drug C&B Mall in Marikina an hour ago when i bought my anticonvulsant drugs. When i presented my PWD ID, I was refused discount as the type of disability in it is just CHRONIC ILLNESS. It has to be specific they said, not just Chronic Illness, according to the new memo they have (this was despite the prescription I had). When i demanded to see it, they said they cannot show it as its internal – from NCDA to Mercury Drug.
Upon calling DSWD Office, they said that yes, there are several complaints already. IDs neet to changed, and make it specific already. The memo was effective November 2011.
Why was this not known to us as soon as possible? Why do we have to experience refusal before knowing the rules? We have an active group communicating constantly and this was not known to us. How was this communicated, by the way? And how come, we are deprived of seeing it upon request?
The restrictions are growing and growing. This is illustrating biases and it’s not favoring us, persons with disabilities. It is very disappointing.
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Claro Carino Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@Glenda Carlota,
Mam, gud morning. I came accross your complaint. Am furnishing you a press statement from Akbayan Partylist especially from Rep. Walden Bello as Mercury Drug agreed to provide discounts to PWDs. Akala ko po ay ok na pero matigas po talaga ang ulo ng Mercury Drug. I got this from the internet. Sana po ay makatulong po sa inyo.
Claro C. Carino
Public Service Advisory on Mercury Drug Corporation’s delayed implementation of the 20% discount on medicines for PWDs
.ni Walden Bello noong Miyerkules, Marso 30, 2011 nang 9:40 PM.Public Service Advisory on Mercury Drug Corporation’s delayed implementation of the 20% discount on medicines for PWDs
Per approval of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Mercury Drug Corporation will begin the implementation of the 20% Discount on Medicines for PWDs on May 1, 2011.
According to the Memorandum of Agreement between Mercury Drug Corporation the House of Representatives Committee on Social Services (HRep-CSS) and Akbayan Party signed on March 1, 2011, Mercury Drug Corp. was given one month to prepare for the implementation of the said discount.
However on March 14, 2011 the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) granted Mercury Drug Corporation an extension of one month, from April 2011 to May 1, 2011, to make all the necessary adjustments in their operating systems to properly implement and account for the discounts.
Akbayan shares the disappointment of Filipinos with Disabilities and their families in the announcement of this unexpected delay. Rest assured that we will continue to receive your concerns and act on them accordingly. We will also keep you updated on the status of the implementation of the discount.
To avail of the discount, Filipinos with Disabilities must have the following:
1. PWD identification card;
2. Doctor’s prescription, even for over-the-counter medicines; and
3. Purchase booklet.
In case a representative will make the purchase, in addition to previous requirements, s/he must also present
1. A currently dated authorization letter; and
2. Identification card.
For more info, you may contact Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello through 931-6575 or rep.waldenbello@yahoo.com.
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Dinah Cristina A. Amane Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 8:00 am
@Claro Carino, please elucidate further if indeed, the Memorandum of Agreement as mentioned still exists. I am a breast cancer warrior, Medullary Carcinoma, Stage 2B diagnosed in March 18, 2009. I represent a self-help group in our place(Pink Buddies). Mercury Drug did not honor a member’s disability card bearing “chronic illness.” She was told to change her disability card and to state what caused her disability. That there should be a specific cause for us to categorically claim “disabled.” I wrote the branch(Mercury) serving them a notice to make them aware of Magna Carta for Disabled Persons. The District Manager came to see me and explained the reason for their refusal. Thank you.
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Good day,
We are a little confused about the difference betwen a CHRONIC DISABILITY CARD vs a PERMANENT DISABILITY CARD in as fas as discounts in MERCURY DRUGSTORES in Pasig. They told us that, they will no longer give discounts unless its a PERMANENT DISABILITY CARD.
Then, we were trying to avail of Laboratory fee discounts at the National Kidney Insitute but the guy at the cashier told us that they dont honor it or they dont have the implementing guidelines yet on how to apply discounts. But at the Pasig City General Hospital, as well as the private laboratories nearby they are honoring it. This is really confusing
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Good day!
I’m a physician working in a dialysis center and I have several patients complaining that MERCURY DRUGSTORE is not honoring their status as PWD. Mercury Drugstore’s rationale was, CHRONIC ILLNESSES are not covered by RA 9442. It is clear that some chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes and hypertension) may not show concomitant disability. However, some chronic illnesses (e.g. ESRD dialysis patients) may require lifelong treatment/procedure to sustain life and hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. (Making the Chronic Illness a DISABILITY). “Chronic illnesses” may not be covered by RA 9442 but it is clearly stated that “Chronic Illnesses with Disability” should be covered by RA 9442.
This is one of the 7 types of disabilities defined under RA 7227, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”. Consistent with the pertinent definitions used in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7227, RA 9442 and DOH Administrative order No. 2009-0011. These patients are considered as persons with disability (PWD) and entitled to the privileges and incentives mandated by law.
The high cost of medicines and dialysis treatments is already a burden to this group of patients and such injustice should not be tolerated.
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good day..just tonight we use the PWD id of my niece at SOUTH STAR Drugstore at cherry foodarama branch in mandaluyong.. ang address po namin ay sa up diliman…is it true na hindi kami puede bumili sa kanila dahil taga quezon city kami?what if emergency na hindi pa rin puede bumili?pls…confirm po..
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@diane ocampo, nationalized po ang pwd id kahit na lgu ang ang nag issue.
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