Senator Raffy Tulfo has launched a scathing critique against the Department of Health (DOH), accusing the agency of misrepresenting its actions concerning the return of expired medicines to suppliers and manufacturers.
During a recent hearing on the DOH’s proposed 2027 budget, Senator Tulfo presented photographic evidence purportedly showing expired medicines being buried at Tala Hospital in Caloocan City, directly contradicting claims of returns.
Health Secretary Edwin Mercado, responding to the allegations, acknowledged that over P217 million worth of medicines had expired in 2025, with an additional P477 million nearing expiration, highlighting the substantial scale of the wastage issue.
Senator Tulfo vehemently insisted that the DOH must produce official receipts and documentation to substantiate its claims that the allegedly returned expired medicines were indeed replaced with new stock by their respective suppliers.
This latest controversy underscores a persistent challenge for the DOH, as reports from the Commission on Audit (COA) have repeatedly flagged significant amounts of expired or nearly expired drugs within the agency, leading to substantial financial losses and raising questions about inventory management and accountability in public health services.
The recurring issue of drug wastage has prompted calls from various sectors, including legislative bodies, for the DOH to implement more robust procurement, distribution, and inventory systems to prevent the loss of vital medical supplies and ensure efficient use of public funds.