OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the effect of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 on drug accessibility among elderly.
METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional design involving 775 senior citizens from Manila,Pampanga, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro and Iligan.
RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent (38%) of senior citizens were not aware of the law, but 90% knew about the 20% discount and 54% knew about the 12% VAT exemption. Half (50%) of them ask for 20% discount all the time when they buy their medicines. Only half are given full discount every time they ask for it, and 32% are given to the VAT exemption. As a result, less than half (48%) are able to buy all their medicines.
CONCLUSION: Privileges are not fully enjoyed by senior citizens either due to lack of awareness or noncompliance of drug outlets to the provisions of the Law.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Awareness ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Happiness ; Knowledge ; Patient Compliance ; Philippines ; Health Services

The COVID-19 pandemic created the urgent need to use online and virtual platforms to facilitate development of skills and competencies as part of remote learning of students. MyDispense®, a learning management system developed by Monash University in Australia, is a practice-based online tool utilized by the University of the Philippines College of Pharmacy to teach dispensing skills in Dispensing and Incompatibilities courses (Phar 154 and Pharm 133). This commentary describes how MyDispense® was used as an online retail pharmacy simulation through the SEIPS (Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety) model, with discussion on how the person, tasks, organization, tools and technology, and virtual environment work within the teaching and learning process in dispensing. The application of MyDispense® as a learning platform both in remote and traditional teaching can be further explored to maximize its features and utility.
COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic created the urgent need to use online and virtual platforms to facilitate development of skills and competencies as part of remote learning of students. MyDispense®, a learning management system developed by Monash University in Australia, is a practice-based online tool utilized by the University of the Philippines College of Pharmacy to teach dispensing skills in Dispensing and Incompatibilities courses (Phar 154 and Pharm 133). This commentary describes how MyDispense® was used as an online retail pharmacy simulation through the SEIPS (Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety) model, with discussion on how the person, tasks, organization, tools and technology, and virtual environment work within the teaching and learning process in dispensing. The application of MyDispense® as a learning platform both in remote and traditional teaching can be further explored to maximize its features and utility.
Remote learning