'Sana all'

In tune with the holiday mood, we take a respite from the usual vexations to one’s spirit.

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

If only for a brief period, it is also good for one’s health to avoid stress and other irritants that can make blood pressure shoot up for those with hypertensive condition. While enjoying the stress-free holiday, people with uncontrolled blood pressure must watch out, however, about binge eating and drinking in parties, family reunions and other Christmas gathering.

Thus, it was pleasant news that senior citizens availing of their 20 percent discount and exemption from the 12 percent value added tax (VAT) are no longer required to present their purchase booklet for medicines. The Department of Health (DOH) announced last Monday that drugstores must just honor the senior citizens’ cards in their purchases of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Aside from senior citizens’ identification cards for people aged 60 years old and above, they are also issued with purchase booklets that are previously required to be presented in order to avail of discount and VAT exemption entitlements.

DOH Administrative Order No. 2024-0017 removed this requirement of purchase booklet, which is provided for under Republic Act (RA) 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. Aside from booklet for medicine, senior citizen cardholders also have a separate booklet for grocery, and some even get a movie booklet. These are issued by the Senior Citizens’ Office of the respective local government units (LGUs) where they are registered residents.

Actually, the previously required booklet for medicines for senior citizens is redundant. After all, drugstores set limits on purchase of up to 30 tablets or capsules, or good for one month consumption only. Since senior citizen cards have specific designated control numbers, these purchases are automatically encoded for purposes of monitoring by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on VAT deductions.