{
  "id": 8087709,
  "title": "Sari-sari stores may bridge medicine gaps in remote Philippine communities",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/sari-sari-stores-may-bridge-medicine-gaps-in-remote-philippine",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-17T19:40:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-sari-bridge-medicine-gaps-remote.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sari-sari stores, or small convenience stores, could help bridge gaps in medicine access for remote Filipino communities, according to a new study. In many rural areas, pharmacies are scarce and travel to the nearest one can be costly and time-consuming. A study conducted by researchers at Ateneo de Manila University explored how sari-sari stores, which are ubiquitous and highly accessible, could serve as alternative points of access to medicines and healthcare for these communities. The study, published in the journal Acta Medica Philippina, found that most sari-sari store owners stocked common over-the-counter medicines, such as paracetamol, mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, and loperamide, for ailments like headaches, diarrhea, fever, colds, and stomachaches. These medicines were often sold in small quantities, referred to as \"tingi-tingi\" transactions, which added to their affordability. The study highlighted that sari-sari stores offer a convenient and affordable alternative for people in remote areas who lack access to formal healthcare facilities. While the sale of pharmaceuticals through sari-sari stores is technically illegal, the researchers argue that policies should consider economic and geographic barriers before imposing strict prohibitions. The researchers suggest that sari-sari stores occupy a unique and necessary liminal space between households and formal institutions, bridging the healthcare gap in remote communities.",
  "summary": "Medicine should never feel out of reach. Yet for many Filipinos, a trip to the pharmacy can mean literally crossing mountains and streams for a handful of tablets. In a remote location in Barangay Kalawakan, Bulacan, getting to the nearest pharmacy can mean traveling almost a dozen kilometers without public transportation. A single trip to town can cost more than ₱400—almost an entire day's…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}