Capitol presents proof showing drug purchase was above board

CEBU, Philippines – Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda presented yesterday a document to disprove allegations from Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. that the provincial government has purchased an overpriced and expired paracetamol.

Sepulveda showed to members of the media a sales invoice from PITC Pharma, Inc. showing that the paracetamol tablets purchased by the Capitol was only P0.3571 per tablet contrary to Sanchez's claim that it costs P7 each.

According to Sepulveda, the informant of Sanchez may not have looked the sales invoice properly because there was another type of paracetamol listed which costs P17.80 per bottle.

Both paracetamol tablets and bottles are due to expire on December 2014 and February 2012, respectively. Sepulveda said there was no truth to the allegations that these medicines are already expired.

Sanchez raised the issue of alleged overpricing during last Monday's session of the provincial board. This prompted PB member Sergio Restauro, chairman of the committee on health, to promise an investigation.

Restauro assured that he will look into the allegation and render a report next week. (FREEMAN)