Pasig overstocked P13.4-M drugs – COA

MANILA, Philippines - The Pasig City government bought and stored medicine instead of distributing the drugs to those in need, the Commission on Audit (COA) said in a report released yesterday.

State auditors said the local government unit (LGU) even went on purchasing more drugs when it has not even used what was previously bought.

In a report released yesterday, COA said Pasig City had more than P13.4 million worth of medicines in stock as of Dec. 31, 2013.

State auditors said an evaluation of monthly reports submitted by the city’s medical supply depot last year showed various drugs and medicines that were slow moving or have no record of use or issuances for more than three months.

Specifically, records show that maternal and child care services had P2,399,097.60 worth of unused medicines while radiology and the Pasig emergency unit had P2,151,088.82 and 323,914.43, respectively.

The LGU’s nutrition program and health aide also had P2,534,530 and P6,062,561.60, respectively, in stocked drugs as of Dec. 31, 2013.