Bacolod City – The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is urging the City Health Office to immediately conduct an inventory of all medicines, vaccines, and supplies to determine if there are any expired or near-expired items, to replenish stocks as necessary, and properly dispose of or re-allocate such items in a timely manner.
The resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang said a city-led inventory conducted recently revealed the presence of anti-rabies vaccines nearing expiry, highlighting the need for an immediate and comprehensive review of all medicines and supplies in the custody of the City Health Office (CHO).
The proper management and timely replenishment of medicines, vaccines, and supplies are crucial to ensure the safety and health of the residents of Bacolod City, it said.
Expired and near-expiry medicines and vaccines pose health risks and may compromise healthcare interventions, thus requiring strict inventory control and management, the resolution said.
Medicines, vaccines, and supplies that are left to expire and remain unused constitute a waste of the city’s resources allocated for public health and jeopardize the effective delivery of healthcare services, it said.
The efficient and transparent management of these resources is vital to uphold the trust of the public and to maximize the benefits of city resources allocated for health programs, the resolution said.
The SP urges the CHO to conduct a systematic and comprehensive inventory of all medicines and supplies in their custody; identify and segregate expired and near-expiry items for proper disposal or re-allocation; prepare and implement a plan for replenishing stocks of essential medicines and supplies; and establish a regular monitoring system to prevent future expiration issues and ensure continuous availability of medicines and supplies. (Chrysee Semillano via tvds)