Negros Occidental has established 175 Botika ng Barangay outlets under the government's Half-Price Medicine program, according to the Department of Health.

The province has the third biggest number of BnBs in Western Visayas , with 1,040 outlets. Iloilo has 560; Aklan, 190; Antique, 62; Capiz, 27; and Guimaras, 26.

Dr. Alberto Teruel, BnB coordinator of the DOH 6, said more outlets will be set up this year under the program aimed to ensure availability and accessibility of affordable and quality essential drugs for the poor in hard to reach areas.

The BnB is managed by a community organization or the Local Government Unit, with a trained operator and a supervising pharmacist.

Medicines being sold at BnBs include low-priced generic home remedies, over-the-counter drugs, and two prescription antibiotic drugs such as Amoxicillin and Cotrimoxazole.*

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