HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin blamed the previous Duterte administration’s Department of Health (DOH) head for the expired vaccines that were not utilized, which cost billions of pesos.
Garin made the statement after the Commission on Audit (COA) released a report that over P11 billion worth of drugs, medicines, and medical supplies expired without being utilized. This includes the 7,035,161 vials of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Itong mga nangyari at nakita ng COA ay dahil sa weak leadership at management ng Department of Health noong nagdaang administrasyon,” the Iloilo lawmaker stressed.
To ensure that no vaccines and medicines would be wasted, the former health secretary said that the program directors should monitor the usage of these medical-related items and must be properly utilized.
“Kung sino ang program director, pagkabili ng mga bakuna at gamot, obligasyon mong ipagamit kaagad at i-monitor ito,” she said, adding that program directors who cannot properly monitor and distribute these medical resources should be removed from post.
“Doon sa warehouse, imbentaryo sila ng imbentaryo, dapat doon may accountability kung sino ang implementing department ng DOH. Dapat may close coordination na kapag binili na dapat nang gamitin hindi kung kailan pa-expire na ay doon pa lang magkakandarapa na i-implement,” Garin furthered.
Previously, Garin questioned Health Secretary Ted Herbosa for the lack of vaccines which caused the death of some individuals.
“Ang dami ngayong namamatay sa pertussis, stock out kayo sa bakuna. Ang dami ngayong may mga bulate, ang dami niyong mga nag-eexpire na praziquantel. Ang dami niyong mga binibiling gamot, nililibing siya kasi nag-eexpire,” the former health secretary said.
In 2023, the COA also reported that DOH’s stock of medicines and other inventories amounted to P7.43-B. This amount includes medicines that are damaged, nearing their expiration date, or have already expired.
