COA: P23.6M worth of drugs, medicine fail to reach patients

CEBU, Philippines - Many ignore the need for medication mainly because they could not afford the cost of medicines, much more pay for hospital bills, but a report of the Commission on Audit revealed that the government actually has enough funds to help indigent patients - only that the funds went down the drain.  

COA said health officials reportedly procured drugs and medicines worth P92,681,000 through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management, but as of December 31, 2008, a total of P23,633,549 drugs and medicines allegedly remain undelivered.

The P92.6 million budget reportedly came from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of a former senator who was not identified in the COA report.

COA said the improper utilization of the PDAF resulted in the accelerated depletion of the funds, thereby depriving indigent beneficiaries of the health benefits, particularly because a total of P625,830 worth of drugs and medicines were still not utilized as of December 31.

COA did not explain the alleged “improper utilization” of the PDAF extensively in its report, but said some pharmacies sold their drugs and medicines not based on the actual cost of the purchase.

The pharmacists were advised to closely monitor issuance of drugs and medicines intended for PDAF patients to prevent charging of mark-ups prices, as prohibited by DOH Order 2007-0057.

The policy is that PDAF shall be used only to assist indigent patients who are either confined or out-patients of hospitals under the Department of Health.

The patient will ask referrals from the respective congressman’s office and bring them to the concerned hospital for them to avail of medical services, including drugs and medicines.

The state auditors also advised health officials to require the DBM Procurement Service to refund the P23.6 million for the undelivered drugs and medicines. Considering that the previous deliveries were not fully utilized, COA said it would indicate that such kinds of purchased medicines were not urgently needed.

COA also recommended that hospitals should strictly comply with the provisions of the proper utilization of the fund and limit its coverage to ensure that the use of PDAF will support the hospital mandate of delivering health care services.

Meanwhile, COA has discovered that some hospitals in the region failed to comply with the provisions of the government procurement act through public bidding when they purchased drugs and medicines, including other medical supplies.

Talisay District Hospital reportedly spent P3,673,609 while P4,511,173 was spent by Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in barangay Basak-San Nicolas for office and medical supplies by just “shopping,” which is contrary to law.

The management of Talisay District Hospital explained that they were forced to procure drugs and medicines through “shopping” due to emergency needs, but reportedly promised not to do so again. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)