How Pinoys with mental health conditions can access free medicines under DOH’s program

January 14, 2026 – 5:33 PM

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A pharmacy student raised awareness about how Filipinos can access free medicines for mental health conditions.

Riona Maestro Sison

Department of Health

Called the

Medicines Access Program for Mental Health (MAP-MH)

, she said it allowed her to obtain free medicines for her condition at an access site recognized under the initiative.

“Words cannot express how I feel happy, both as a student pharmacist and a service user of mental health medicines. As a student pharmacist, I learned the importance of knowing the free health services and medications that are available for service users,” Sison said.

Sison said that she was able to get her medicines by presenting her medical certificate or prescription and a valid ID.

Meanwhile, physician

Rodney Boncajes

He noted that their “availability may vary according to the supply and demand per Access Site.”

Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Psychiatry Department

for “free consultation and therapy services.”

She said that while the PGH can also provide medicines, their availability depends on supply.

The MAP-MH is a program launched by the DOH last year, allowing patients with valid prescriptions to receive certain medications for conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder at no cost through public health centers.