The Health department said Thursday it is taking action on the P 295.767 million in nearly expired drugs and medicines reported by the Commission on Audit.
It asked the public to continue to work toward improving access to health care services, including drugs and medicines, as it pushes for the full implementation of Universal Health Care.
Following the COA’s recommendations in the 2018 report, Health department teams have been collaborating to resolve the issues on overstocking, distribution and warehousing of drugs, among other things.
Funds have been allocated to pay rent for warehouses and the hauling of commodities to facilitate immediate drug distribution.
COA earlier reported that the Health department had been distributing nearly expired drugs and medicines since January 2019.
But all stocks of filariasis kits, CD4 cartridge kits, Tuberculin PPD, and Japanese Encephalitis vaccines have already been distributed.
As for the remaining stocks of micronutrient powder sachets (84,100,140 units from 157,060,620 units), these will be distributed to Health department hospitals for pediatric patients, non-government organizations, orphanages, and miners positive for mercury.
The Health department will likewise provide the sachets to the Supplementary Feeding Program and Reception and Study Centers for Children.
To improve further operations and processes for using health commodities, the department has implemented organizational changes to ensure that dedicated units for logistics monitoring and management and procurement monitoring and management are in place.
To expedite the distribution of health commodities, the Health department has hired additional manpower to help health facilities and regional offices.
It also tapped several development partners such as USAID, UNFPA, and PBSP, among others, for assistance in improving its delivery system and processes.