Doctors say sorry for expired food, medicines

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—A group of doctors from the United States has unintentionally distributed expired medicines and food during a three-day medical mission this week in three towns, and they have apologized for the mistake.

Residents received medicines for common colds and toothpaste which bore 2008 expiration dates. The medicines were handed out during the medical mission here and in Dupax del Sur and Bambang towns conducted by the California-based Global Medical Foundation (GMF).

Dr. Christopher Guerrero, GMF director, said they did not realize they had expired stocks. “I was not aware but we took care of that already. We have removed the expired [medicines from our inventory],” he said in a radio interview here.

“This is a bit insulting for them to give us poor people these expired medicines. Aren’t they doctors and nurses?” said a mother from Barangay Domang in Dupax del Sur.

In Bayombong, recipients reported having obtained US-manufactured pills for cough and colds with 2012 expiry as well as packs of locally-produced instant noodles, with expiry dates of December 2015.

The Inquirer obtained a pack of dental hygiene kit, which contained a bottle of mouthwash, a tube of toothpaste and chewing gum, all with expired dates.

Guerrero said the expired toothpaste and many of the goods they gave out should not harm people. Melvin Gascon, Inquirer Northern Luzon