DoH cited for nearly expired medicines

THE COMMISSION on Audit (CoA) has criticized the Health department for excessive allocation of medicines, leading to P367.2 million of drugs that are nearing expiration.

In a report, state auditors also cited the department for allowing P30.4 million of drugs to expire. Aside from over allocation, they blamed delays in the distribution of medicines and allowing transfers without a hospital request.

The Health department should enforce stricter approval to ensure the fast distribution of drugs with at least a year of remaining shelf life, according to the report.

In the report, the agency said its chief accountant would start reconciling the inventory for transactions last year. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras