Philippine health groups call TB drug shortage a national emergency

Philippine health NGOs have raised alarms over persistent stockouts of first-line tuberculosis medicines, labeling the situation a national emergency. They attribute the shortages to multiple failed and cancelled drug biddings by the Department of Health, which have cost roughly P2 billion. Advocates such as Florita Dalida of TB HEALS and Chris Muñoz of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations called for a revised procurement timetable, better regional coordination, and guaranteed free treatment under PhilHealth’s TB-DOTS package.

Community reports from regions including Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Bicol, Tacloban, Tawi-Tawi and Cotabato indicate that health centers are hesitant to screen patients without available drugs. The groups also urged the health secretary to strengthen reimbursements and to allow local governments to plan funding for universal health coverage, rather than relying solely on national deliveries.