Pangasinan executives probe dumping of expired drugs

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Gov. Amado Espino Jr. has formed a team to investigate multimillion-peso worth of medicine dug up, based on a tip-off, in the engineering compound of the provincial capitol here starting last Saturday.

Retired police colonel Paterno Orduña, who heads the team, said, “(The dumping) is a waste of government funds.”

He vowed to conduct a thorough investigation, as efforts to unearth the dumped medicine continued.

Orduña cited initial information that two dump trucks transported the vials of medicine and dumped them in an excavation as deep as two persons.

“Maybe that’s worth millions,” he said. “In due time, as investigation progresses, we will know who are behind this illegal disposal.”

“It was done in haste,” he said, citing information that those who hauled and dumped the medicine were even scolded because they were acting slow.

Orduña wondered why the vials of medicine were disposed of when some were still sealed and could still be used.

He said they would recommend to the governor to seek the help of the National Bureau of Investigation for an impartial probe.

Based on information they have gathered, Orduña said the dumping – reportedly using a backhoe – was done between 2005 and 2006. Espino took over as governor in 2007.

Dr. Jackson Soriano, officer-in-charge of the provincial health office, said among those dug up were metrodinazole used for amoebiasis, antibiotics for certain abdominal infections, condoms, blood bags, contraceptive pills, anesthesia, IV tubing, anti-TB drugs, antiseptic solution, ascorbic acid, and other tablets.

Some of the drugs had expiry dates in 1998 and 2004. 

“We should procure what is only needed by our constituents to avoid wastage,” he said.

In cases of unused drugs that have expired, Soriano said these are placed in a vault or a secluded area “but rarely do we have such a situation.”

Orduña agreed with Soriano that even if the drugs were already expired, they should be disposed of in accordance with the rules on government properties.