THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said on Wednesday that it aims to fully implement its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (Yakap) nationwide by the end of the year. Launched in Metro Manila in July, PhilHealth CEO Edwin Mercado said they are still studying the issues of its implementation in Metro Manila before it is expanded nationwide. “Our target is that at the end of the year, we’ll have Phase 4 implementation,” said Mercado. Among the programs under Yakap is the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment, which offers 75 free medicines with a limit of P20,000 annually. When asked if the 75 medicines will be expanded, Mercado said, “75 is just a fraction of what we consider essential,” stressing that they are still checking but assured the public that it will be expanded “within the year.” Mercado also reported progress in pharmacy accreditation for the program. As of Sept. 30, 304 pharmacies nationwide have been accredited, with 56 in Metro Manila alone. “Pharmacy chains are waiting to start. Now that they have experience in Manila, they’re also talking to us about their branches in other parts of the country,” he said. The expanded benefit program, formerly known as the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) benefits package, has a total fund of P15.3 billion. Mercado also welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order for the additional P60 billion in funding for PhilHealth, saying it will help sustain and expand benefit coverage.