Arshie Larga reconnects Filipinos to accessible health information
Healthcare in the Philippines remains elusive to many, especially the poor and marginalized. While access exists on paper, in practice it often favors only those who can afford the cost of what’s supposedly a basic right.
Medicine prices in the Philippines rank among the highest in Southeast Asia, up to four times more expensive than in neighboring countries, according to a 2023 report by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
This is compounded by public perception that generic medicines, which are generally cheaper, are substandard or “mas hindi mabisa.” Advertisements may tell Filipinos what a drug is for, but guidance on how it should be properly taken is fairly limited and out of reach.
On TikTok, a young man in scrubs leans into a customer in a small window. He tries to decipher words either written on prescriptions or just mumbles of symptoms. He thinks intently, and then goes back to hand a pack of medicines. This pharmacist is Arshie Larga, who has been redefining access to health information, particularly for those the system may have long neglected.
@arshielife #stitch with @Ekay Grospe Cauba Gr Suriin mabuti ang binibiling gamot para ‘di mabiktima ng pekeng gamot. #learnontiktok #tiktokskwela #healthtokph ♬ original sound - Arshie Larga
Finding the calling
Arshie grew up in the island province of Marinduque, a town four hours away from Manila. Raised by a clan of pharmacists, his family had owned a botika since he was young, and it was only fate for Arshie to continue the tradition. While he promised his parents he’d be a pharmacist, he told them a caveat: He’d only do it in the United States.
When the pandemic hit, Arshie's plans to work abroad were halted. Instead, he found himself running their botika. In retrospect, he realized there was no better exposure than community pharmacy. “Makikita mo talaga kung gaano kakulang ‘yung healthcare system. Ang dami pang kinakailangang i-improve; ‘yung accessibility pa lamang to our healthcare needs.”
While his pharmaceutical formal education gave him the knowledge he needed, Arshie shares that it’s still different to work in the communities and to know where his knowledge is urgently needed. “Yes nandiyan lahat ng information, pero hindi mo alam kung alin diyan ‘yung kinakailangan ng mga tao, alin diyan ‘yung mas makakatulong talaga sa immediate need nila.”
Content creation as a bridge to public health information
Arshie began posting short explainer videos during the pandemic to tackle COVID‑19 vaccine hesitancy. His under-a-minute TikToks in Filipino handled terms like “herd immunity” and “antibiotic resistance,” and debunked claims of Ivermectin’s efficacy against COVID-19. Now, his name has turned into a TikTok search term, often paired with medicines for flu and cough: a tell-tale sign of how Filipinos clamor for truthful, digestible information for their health.
In the content creation industry for five years already, he has created videos for almost every over-the-counter product available in the Philippine market. His explanations are grounded in facts, but always delivered in a way that’s easy to understand. “I think the more na na-answer ko ‘yung mga question ng mga tao, the more na mas nagiging eager sila to learn more about medicine,” he shares. “Those type of videos, kahit mapanood mo siya ng 2020 man or until 2025, applicable pa rin ‘yung information na ‘yun.”
@arshielife stitch with @siliqueenofficial ♬ original sound - Arshie Larga
To him, credibility is non-negotiable. “It’s always important for me na lahat ng sinasabi ko online is backed with research and facts.”
He equates credibility to longevity in the industry, both for his profession as a pharmacist and content creator. “Oofferan ako ng ganitong kalaking amount just to say na mas maganda si Brand A kaysa kay Brand B, (pero) mas pipiliin ko pa rin sabihin ‘yung tama tsaka ‘yung totoo.”
“Hindi naman laging about sa pera yung usapan, dapat panindigan pa rin natin kung ano ‘yung tama, kung ano ‘yung integridad natin bilang tao. Kasi again, being a content creator comes with great responsibility. Maraming pwede maniwala sa’yo.”
Extending his advocacy
When asked what keeps him going, it really comes down to the people he's helped. Not just in providing medicines, but also those inspired to pursue pharmacy largely because of him. Arshie is a reminder that while information may be available, making sure your audience is able to digest the information is still what’s important.
Oofferan ako ng ganitong kalaking amount just to say na mas maganda si Brand A kaysa kay Brand B, (pero) mas pipiliin ko pa rin sabihin ‘yung tama tsaka ‘yung totoo.
Around Christmas in 2022, Arshie started setting aside part of his savings to help customers who couldn’t afford their medicines. At first, he was simply curious to see how people might react. “Akala ko nga mababash pa ako,” he admits. Instead, his followers started chipping in, turning his personal project into a larger cause.
“‘Yung iba mga magco-comment pa (sa video), ‘Tignan mo, parang bente pesos na lamang (‘yung gamot), hindi pa nila mabili. Gan’on ‘yung reality. May mga taong dumadaan sa mga gan’ong pagsubok,” he shares.
“Minsan, akala mo parang okay lang ‘yung tao, pero once na inabot mo na sa kanya ‘yung gamot for free at wala siyang babayaran, doon siya mago-open up na, ‘Actually po, itong pinambili at ko pinangpa-checkup ko, inutang ko pa ‘to.’ Thank God natulungan ko siya.”
@arshielife Work-Tok? Hihingi pa sana si Sir ng discount kaso…
♬ Hyehwadong (or Sangmundong) - Park Boram
The donations eventually hit six digits. Even today, amounts still trickle in. For strangers to entrust him with hard-earned money speaks volumes for his credibility. And trust, in a country where institutions have failed so many, is no small currency.
Despite his growing influence, Arshie is aware he is still operating within the boundaries of the platform and algorithm. Some topics remain hard to discuss openly. But Arshie remains hopeful that his platform stands for what he intends: less censorship and more access to information.
“There are some topics online that you’re not allowed to discuss. For example, as a pharmacist, as a health educator, I find it hard na I can’t say words like sex, penis, (and) vagina, when I talk about reproductive health,” he says, calling for platforms to change so information continues to reach more people.
Despite such limitations, it’s safe to say that where the system falters, Arshie steps in to bridge that gap, in any way he can.
