P17.5-M medicine expired, wasted

More than P17.5 million worth of medicine procured by the Department of Health (DOH) in 2012 and in previous years have reportedly expired and are rotting in the agency’s storage room, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

In a report released yesterday, state auditors blamed the overstocking and expiry of drugs on purchase of items with near-expiry dates.

Health Undersecretary Ted Herbosa said they have

no no ledge on the matter as they have yet to receive the report.

sually the ill give us the report or tal to the de partment, but as of no e have no such report,” erbosa said.

he said the purchase of medicine and medical sup plies by the e ceeded the normal three month re uire ment.

t said the drugs ere pro cured despite the absence of recipients and lac of proper planning, monitoring and con trol on the use and distribution of the items.

erbosa said the alleged e pired drugs and medicine could have been purchased during the previous administration.

he doesn t buy drugs that are about to e pire. f there ere medicine found to be e pired, it must have been bought three years ago or before e assumed office,” he said.

he reminded the of a rule that states that stoc s on hand of supplies, materials and e uipment spare parts ac uired through ordinary and emergency purchase should not e ceed the three month re uirement.

erbosa gave assurance that they ould loo into the report and demand e planation from those ho ill be found involved in the alleged irregularity.

ecords sho that the , pac s of medicine received by a certain hospital from the in pril and ctober ere found to have e pired almost t o years ago.

t said the medicine had to be issued per pac and patients prefer to buy from stores outside on a per piece basis.

he said government hospitals should fast trac the distribution of drugs and medicine to beneficiaries so public funds ould not be asted.