Politics · Philippines Bureau
Senate hearing focuses on DOH's disposal of expired medicines worth millions
Photos of expired pharmaceuticals allegedly discarded by the Department of Health were presented during a Senate budget hearing, prompting fresh scrutiny of the agency's inventory management practices. Senator Raffy Tulfo raised concerns about potential waste and questioned DOH officials on the matter.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Senate Finance Committee heard evidence Friday of expired medicines worth several million pesos that the Department of Health allegedly buried or discarded, as lawmakers pressed agency officials on pharmaceutical inventory practices.
Senator Raffy Tulfo presented photographs documenting the disposal during the committee's budget hearing, using the images to underscore his questions about the agency's handling of expired stock. The senator characterized the situation as wasteful and demanded clarification from DOH leadership on the circumstances surrounding the disposal.
The hearing highlighted ongoing concerns about inventory management and resource stewardship within the health department, a key agency responsible for the country's pharmaceutical supply chain and distribution.
DOH officials were asked to explain the procedures followed in disposing of the medications and to detail any measures being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.