MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday refuted allegations of Senator Manny Pacquiao that it was procuring nearly expired medication.
In a press conference, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained there are established standards and rules prohibiting the Department of Health from purchasing drugs that are about to expire only to get them at a lesser price.
“I can say wala po kaming ganyang nabibili na mga supplies or mga gamot (I can say that we have not purchased that kind of supplies or medicines) because we are following the existing laws and policies of government,” Vergeire said.
The DOH is required to accept and purchase drugs with a shelf life of 18 to 24 months, according to Vergeire.
She stated that medicines, pharmaceuticals, or supplies with a 12-month shelf life can only be acquired during public health emergencies.
Pacquiao previously stated that government corruption has worsened under President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership, citing the DOH as one of the corrupt government departments.
Pacquiao’s proof is still pending
The DOH, according to Vergeire, will wait for Pacquiao’s team to submit their evidence so that it may respond appropriately.
“Inaantay pa rin po namin ang mga document o queries ni Senator Pacquiao para po (We are waiting for document or queries from Senator Pacquiao so that) we can appropriately address all of them and submit to his office again documents that may respond to these questions that he has,” she said.
The agency stated that it had already given the senator’s office its budget reports.
