DOH says medicines, dental supplies cited in COA report being distributed since start of 2020

October 7, 2020

The Department of Health (DOH Wednesday said stockpiled drugs and medicines, as well as medical and dental supplies reportedly near expiry dates referred to in a 2019 report of the Commission on Audit (COA) are in the process of being distributed since the start of 2020.

Last Monday, COA reported that the DOH has P2.2 billion worth of drugs, medicines, and other supplies in its inventory that are either expired, nearly expired, or overstocked and slow-moving.

In a statement, the DOH said  materials and supplies pointed in the 2019 COA-Consolidated Annual Audit Report (CAAR) covers their stocks for the 2019.

"These articles... was for CY 2019, which means this only covers the period of January to December 2019, and that the current status of the DOH Central Office figures is now different," said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

For the P166,320 worth of expired commodities noted by COA, Duque said a total of 62,410 (98.67 percent) out of the 63,250 dental kits have been distributed with only fluoride toothpaste having expiry dates.

Duque said  840 dental kits with kiddie toothbrushes and germicidal soap, among others, are set to be distributed.

As for the COA finding of overstocked/slow-moving commodities amounting to P1.1 billion, the DOH said P815 million have  been given between January to August 2020.

Duque said distribution of items worth P322 is going on. The expiry dates range from 2021 to 2023.

DOH said medicines and supplies nearing expiration amounting to P1 billion have been completely given to recipients.

As of Sept 30 2020, DOH said all products have been completely distributed between the months of January to August 2020.

Duque pointed that the deliveries and distributions came despite the limitations posed by the presence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. DMS