Go backs stronger safeguards for seniors, PWDs in pharmacy transactions

Councilor Gilda O. Go, chair of the committee on senior citizens, expressed support to the special report of Councilor George Christopher Goking, during the 33^rd regular session, urging the Department of Health (DOH) to require pharmacies to clearly inform customers, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), of their statutory rights to discounts and proper consumer protection channels.

Goking’s report calls on the DOH to direct all pharmacies to post visible notices detailing discount privileges and to provide accessible complaint mechanisms such as hotlines, email addresses, and official social media pages that promptly respond to concerns. It also seeks to impose penalties on establishments that fail to comply.

In response, Go disclosed that she had earlier raised similar concerns and is now working to institutionalize these protections under the proposed Senior Citizens’ Code of the city.

“I made a special report about that last year. Since we are already drafting the Senior Citizens’ Code, we will incorporate the specific complaints raised by senior citizens,” Go said.

She noted recurring complaints regarding the presentation of booklets and identification cards, as well as issues involving the failure of some establishments to grant proper discounts or provide exact change. These concerns, she said, have been raised not only in her office and the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) but have also reached the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Go emphasized the need to engage pharmacy operators directly to address these concerns and ensure compliance with existing laws.

“Concerned pharmacies should be called and properly informed, especially those that fail to give exact change. These experiences and difficulties will guide us in strengthening enforcement mechanisms and imposing appropriate penalties,” she added.

As part of the proposed measure, Go said a dedicated complaint desk will be established to handle grievances of senior citizens and ensure prompt action on reported violations.

Once the ordinance is approved, we will be able to create that complaint desk to enhance consumer protection and uphold the welfare of vulnerable sectors in the city, Go added. (JAO/SP)