DOH counters Pacquiao, denies buying near-expiry medicines

DOH Asec. Maria Rosario Vergeire answers question from media during the Laging Handa press breifing on the update of COVID 19. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) denied on Monday that it was buying near-expiry medicines as alleged by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there are laws stating that the DOH should not buy medicines that are nearing its expiration dates.

“I can say na wala po kaming mga ganyang nabibili na supplies o mga gamot (that we are not buying those kinds of supplies or medicines) because we are following the existing policies and laws of the government,” Vergeire told an online media briefing.

“We have protocols and there are specific agencies of government and we have different laws that would say na hindi kami pwedeng bumili ng mga near-expiry (that we cannot buy near-expiry medicines),” she added.

According to Vergeire, current policies allow the DOH to only buy medicines with shelf life of 18 to 24 months. But she said that during public health emergencies, the DOH can procure supplies that have 12-month shelf life.

Vergeire said the DOH is awaiting more queries from Pacquiao to substantiate his corruption allegations against the health department, “so we can appropriately address all of them and submit to his office again documents that may respond to this questions that he has.”

Pacquiao earlier challenged the DOH to present an accounting of its expenses for its COVID-19 pandemic response. He specifically mentioned the DOH as he accepted the dare of President Rodrigo Duterte for him to name corrupt agencies.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he has already submitted to Pacquiao’s office the fund utilization report of the DOH specifically for Bayanihan 1 and 2.

EDV