The provincial government of Albay and Pfizer, a multi pharma company, have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the full implementation of “Kalusugan Para sa Mamamayan” (KASAMA) of Albay. Albay governor Joey Salceda explained during the MOA signing held here, Thursday, that KASAMA program goal is in line with the government’s thrust to expand access of Filipinos to quality health care.

“Pfizer is helping every Filipinos, to make their products affordable,” Salceda said. Under the KASAMA program, a health discount card will be unlimitedly distributed to provincial, municipal, city health offices, and hospitals to be identified by the provincial government. “KASAMA card entitles the bearer to avail 20 percent to 60 percent discounts in 20 participatory Pfizer medicine products.”

“Discounts in 20 participatory Pfizer medicine products can be availed in all leading drug stores by presenting their KASAMA discount card,” Salceda said. He further explained that the provincial government’s responsibility is to provide the Pfizer the list of hospitals, city and municipal Health Offices. Pfizer will distribute the discount cards to doctors.

Albay Capitol | Photo by Sinjin Pineda

“The doctor will prescribe to the patient any of the 20 participatory Pfizer medicine products,” he said. After receiving the KASAMA discount card, the patient must register through an SMS to Pfizer HealthCare Line for purposes of confirmation.

“This is a lifetime access health discount card only in Albay,” Salceda said. Salceda also said the provincial government will come up with a monitoring mechanism to ensure that the discount health card will not be abused.

However, Albert Mateo Jr., Pfizer president and country manager, explained that GSIS e-card holders can also avail of the discount provided that the prescription is a Pfizer product and included in the list of the 20 participatory medicines/drugs.

The KASAMA program was launched by Pfizer in 2002 that benefited 1.9 million Filipinos throughout the country and to date there are 1,800 drug store partners. (PNA) FFC/LQ/MDR/cbd