Senate to look into P11-B stockpile of expired meds
THE Senate is set to investigate the Department of Health following a Commission on Audit report revealing that over P11.18 billion worth of drugs, medicines, and medical supplies expired in 2023 without being utilized.
Senator Joel Villanueva filed Senate Resolution No. 1326, calling for an inquiry into the DOH’s procurement and inventory management practices.
Villanueva emphasized that the wasted resources could have significantly benefited millions of Filipinos, particularly those relying on government assistance programs.
“The funds wasted on expired healthcare products could have been better utilized to ease out-of-pocket healthcare expenses of millions of Filipinos,” the resolution stated.
The COA report highlighted that the DOH’s inadequate procurement planning and poor distribution and monitoring systems led to the expiration of these medical supplies. This inefficiency undermines the government’s efforts to provide accessible healthcare, especially to marginalized communities.
In response to the COA findings, the DOH acknowledged the observations and expressed commitment to improving its systems.
The department stated that proactive measures are being implemented in the procurement, storage, and inventory of vaccines and other medical supplies.
Public health advocates have also called for greater transparency and efficiency in the DOH’s operations to prevent further wastage of resources. They stress that every peso spent on healthcare should directly contribute to the well-being of Filipinos, particularly those in dire need of medical assistance.
