Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee has filed a measure to investigate the P11 billion worth of expired medicines and vaccines in Department of Health (DOH) warehouses and health facilities, recently flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA).
In filing House Resolution No. 2117, Lee stressed that “the expiration of these essential drugs, medicines and vaccines, which the DOH allowed to deteriorate without proper utilization or timely action, constitutes a clear dereliction of duty and a violation of their mandate.”
“Kulang-kulang na nga ang mga gamot sa mga pampublikong ospital, nangangamba at hirap na hirap na nga ang milyon-milyon nating kababayan sa pagbili ng gamot, tapos may bilyon-bilyong halaga ng gamot, bakuna at iba pang medical supplies ang nag-expire lang at hindi pinakinabangan ng mga Pilipino?”
“Napakalaking kasalanan nito sa taumbayan. Pera na nila ang nasayang, napagkaitan pa sila ng serbisyo para sa kanilang kalusugan,” Lee pointed out.
In the recent COA report, P11.18 billion worth of drugs, medicines and medical supplies, including over 7 million vials of COVID-19 vaccines that were unused, expired in DOH warehouses and health facilities. Among the reasons cited for such wastage are inadequate procurement planning and poor distribution and monitoring systems.
Further, inventories amounting to P65.44 million with a shelf life of less than one year were also found in DOH facilities, nearing wastage.
“Congress should conduct an inquiry into the DOH’s procurement and logistical processes to hold the involved officials and personnel accountable, identify underlying systemic issues, and ensure that public health resources are utilized efficiently, properly accounted for, and distributed in a timely and effective manner,” Lee said.
“Dapat may managot sa krimeng ito at hindi na dapat pang maulit ang napakalaking kapalpakan na ito,” he added.
The Bicolano lawmaker also urged the DOH to “submit a comprehensive report to Congress detailing the status of all expired supplies, including COVID-19 vaccines, and the steps taken to address the situation.”
It can be recalled that during the last House Plenary Deliberations on the DOH Budget last September, Lee inquired about the lack of medicines in public hospitals.
“Mayroong bilyon-bilyong pondo para sa mga gamot pero bakit kinakailangan pang bumili ng mga kababayan natin sa labas ng ospital? Bakit kailangan pa nilang gumastos para sa gamot kahit na sa charity wards sila naka-admit? Isa pa ito sa dumaragdag sa out-of-pocket expenses nila; dagdag isipin ng may sakit; dagdag pasanin ng pamilya,” the solon earlier said.
Lee then sealed the commitment from DOH to submit a detailed and comprehensive report on the availability of medicines and vaccines in public hospitals due last October 31, but the DOH failed to submit this report to Congress.
With these continued inefficiencies and lapses, Lee renewed his call for the resignation of DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa as numerous fundamental health issues remain unaddressed to this day.
“The Filipino people deserve a better healthcare system. Hindi natin maibibigay sa mga Pilipino ang mga dagdag at nararapat na mga benepisyong pangkalusugan kung manhid at walang pakialam ang namumuno sa DOH,” the lawmaker stressed.
“Huwag nating hayaan na mabaon lang sa limot ang bilyon-bilyong halaga ng gamot at bakuna na nasayang at masasayang pa dahil sa kawalan ng direksyon at epektibong mga polisiya. Walang karapatang manatili sa pwesto ang pabigat sa taumbayan. Ang gamot at pagpapagamot, dapat libre na, dapat sagot na ng gobyerno!” he added.
