TAGBILARAN CITY – The reasons why the procured and expired medicines worth over P1.8 million for four provincial government-owned and managed hospitals’ use are blamed on the pandemic.
The health committee chaired by provincial Board Member (BM) Dr. Romulo G. Cepedoza, along with members BMs Dr. Elipidio Bonita and Gloria B. Gementiza, found the culprits of the expired medicines during the committee hearing investigating the expired drug mess.
One of the hospital’s lists of expired medicines cited the “pandemic due to COVID-19, less patient admitted and less patient check-ups.”
Also cited is the delay in delivery of the medicines on time. Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez of the Provincial Health Office called this “lapses” in the procurement system.
Another crookedness is the price tag per unit of medicines procured. The suppliers’ pricing per unit of drug is very much higher than the prescribed Drug Price Regulation Index (DPRI).
The committee quoted COA’s observation this way. “Further, the top ten drugs and medicines with highest price difference in terms of amount and percentage for the four devolved hospitals ranges from P6.22 to P2,620.00 per unit in pesos terms and from 428% to 3,748% in percentage terms.”
Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital (GMPH) in Talibon town posted an overpriced medicines from the amount of P36.72/unit to P1,924.80, or 519% to 1,120%.
Cong. Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital (TBGDH), Jagna town, P13.27/unit of medicine to P1,428.69, or 428% to 767%.
Cong. Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital (CSGTMH), Carmen, P40.77 to P1,008.00/unit, or 524% to 1,192% and Catigbian District Hospitals (CDH), Catigbian, P6.77/unit of medicine to P2,620.00, or 669% to 3,478%.
Provincial Board Member Dr. Romulo G. Cepedoza wanted that the reported fund wastage in the bulk procurement of drugs be investigated in aid of legislation.
In his privilege speech, Cepedoza “believes that this (fund wastage) warrants an investigation if only to unravel the truth and hopefully spare us from unnecessary losses especially with respect to drugs and medicines.”
Presiding over the session, Vice-Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite banged the gavel for the approval of Cepedoza’s motion for his committee to undertake the probe of the expired medicine losses.
The losses of expired medicines were purchased in bulk in 2022 in the total amount of P1,845,124.52. The hospitals involved are Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital (GMPH) in Talibon town with expired drugs amounted to P6,540.23; Cong. Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital (TBGDH), Jagna town, P985,195.93; Cong. Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital (CSGTMH), Carmen, P400,155.19; and Catigbian District Hospitals (CDH), Catigbian town, P453,233.17.
Cepedoza said that the expired medicines mainly based on the Commission on Audit (COA) report and identified the aforesaid hospitals.
Gov. Aris Aumentado immediately ordered the hospital chiefs to explain in writing why these drugs expired. And they’re called for a meeting next week, Provincial Board Member Atty. Tomas D. Abapo, Jr. said.
Cepedoza cited COA’s findings that hospital management procured its drugs and medicine supplies for six-month period which is contrary to three-month requirement under section 361 of Republic Act 7160.
This results to the “incorrect implementation of bulk procurement approach resulting in total actual loss from expiration of P1,844,124.52,” COA said. (ricbedencio@yahoo.com)
