Senator Raffy Tulfo accused the Department of Health of deliberately purchasing near-expiry medicines from favored suppliers to create opportunities for kickbacks, allegedly.
During the Senate deliberations on the DOH’s proposed 2027 budget, Tulfo questioned Health Secretary Edwin Mercado over billions of pesos worth of medicines that have expired in government warehouses.
Mercado said the department is strengthening safeguards, including an 18-month shelf-life requirement, regional procurement, and an improved inventory-tracking system.
He also said he would form an investigating committee to look into the issue, while Tulfo warned that a Senate Blue Ribbon probe could follow.
Tulfo urged the DOH to overhaul its inventory system and prevent medicine wastage as health facilities continue to face shortages.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 5, 2026
FRESH KICKBACK ALLEGATIONS HIT DOH OVER NEAR-EXPIRY DRUGS
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