Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for accountability over the reported expiration and wastage of medicines worth hundreds of millions and billions of pesos, even as numerous health centers across the country continue to face shortages of essential drugs.
Tulfo raised the issue during the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the Department of Health (DOH) budget, describing the situation as a major scandal that is difficult for the public to accept.
The senator pointed out that some health centers reportedly lack even basic medicines such as paracetamol and maintenance drugs, while large amounts of government-purchased medicines are allowed to expire.
“Every single year, by the hundreds of millions, meron pang billions eh. Billion. ₱11 billion ibinaon sa lupa. 2023 sa pamamagitan ng expired na gamot,” Tulfo said, referring to medicines worth around ₱11 billion that reportedly expired in 2023.
He said those responsible should face serious consequences, stressing that the situation warrants an investigation because of the amount of public funds involved.
“Dapat dyan may makulong, dapat dyan may mapugutan ng ulo. Napaka-iskandaloso yung amount,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo also urged newly appointed Health Secretary Edwin Mercado to address the persistent problem of medicine shortages and the wastage of government supplies.
In response, Mercado said the DOH has already been decentralizing its procurement system, with 60% of medicine procurement now handled at the regional level, while only 40% remains under centralized procurement at the national office.
According to Mercado, common essential medicines that are locally available are now being procured through the DOH’s Centers for Health Development (CHDs), allowing regional offices to better respond to local needs.
He also cited the need to review the department’s information technology system to improve monitoring and management of medicine supplies.
Mercado further said he is considering the creation of an investigative committee to examine the causes of medicine expirations and determine how the problem can be addressed.
Tulfo, meanwhile, said he intends to deliver a privilege speech seeking an investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee into the reported wastage.
The senator stressed that while the expiration of medicines worth several million pesos may already be concerning, the reported wastage reaching hundreds of millions or billions of pesos demands greater scrutiny and accountability.
