DOH: Expired medicines only P6-M

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said that it will review lapses in its procurement of medicines amid the Commission on Audit (COA) report that medicines it procured only last year were already expired.

Heath Secretary Enrique Ona clarified that the expired medicines only amounted to P6,647,821.45 and not P17.505 million as the COA stated.

Related story: P17.5-M medicine expired, wasted

“The Department is now implementing the recommendation of the Commission on Audit to further improve the planning and timing of procurement of drugs and medicines,” Ona said.

“Likewise, an inventory system has been developed to ensure proper monitoring of supplies,” he added, assuring that proper administrative action will be taken after the review.

The bulk of the expired medicines pertained to the 58,450 capsules of Anti-flu medicine (Tamiflu 75mgs) worth P5,613,700 procured in 2009.

The DOH said these are stockpiled drugs intended for preparedness for a possible Pandemic A (H1N1) outbreak.

This is to prevent the emergence of an “Oseltamivir-Resistant Strain of Virus.” It is the last armamentarium for all Pandemic Influenzas like H5N1 (Avian Flu or Bird Flu), it further noted.

These expired medicines were found in the stockroom of the Philippine Orthopedic Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Batanes General Hospital, National Center for Mental Health and Center for Health Development-Bicol.

Apart from medicines, it was also reported that there has been an overstocking of medical supplies and medicines worth P10,857,388.05.

The DOH, however, assured that these supplies will be utilized and properly accounted for.