Senator Win Gatchalian on Thursday called for full accountability from the Department of Health (DOH) after state auditors reported tens of millions of pesos in expired and soon-to-expire medical supplies—losses he said deprived Filipinos of essential healthcare.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, said the Commission on Audit’s 2024 findings exposed serious fund mismanagement within the agency.
“I find COA’s findings of DOH mismanagement of funds resulting in expired and near-expiry supplies alarming and deeply troubling at a time when many Filipinos continue to be deprived of adequate healthcare,” he said.
He warned that the lapses amounted to “significant foregone benefits for the public health sector,” stressing that the DOH failed to fully utilize its resources.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang ganitong pag-aaksaya ng pera ng taong bayan. The DOH must answer for millions in expired medicines. Dapat panagutin ang mga opisyal ng DOH na naging pabaya,” he added.
COA reported that ₱34.8 million worth of drugs and medicines had expired, while an additional ₱99.4 million in medical supplies were nearing expiration by the end of 2024. Procurement lapses also contributed to near-expiry stocks piling up, with nearly ₱100 million in inventory at risk due to deployment delays.
Gatchalian emphasized that proper spending is crucial, saying, “Our national health budget must be maximized, especially for the benefit of our poorest and most vulnerable constituents.”