New complaint filed vs DOH chief Pujalte over alleged TB drug procurement freeze

HEALTH. Department of Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. speaks during their celebration of the National Hospital Week at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital on August 3, 2026. Department of Health The complainants say Pujalte’s decision could trigger a nationwide stockout and deny patients their daily medicines MANILA, Philippines – Department of Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. is facing another complaint less than a month after assuming the position, this time over allegations that he delayed the procurement of tuberculosis medicines and commodities. Filed by “concerned health advocates for the prevention and control of tuberculosis” before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, August 5, the complaint seeks Pujalte’s suspension for freezing the bidding process for the procurement of tuberculosis drugs for adults. Pujalte released a memorandum on July 24 directing the DOH’s Disease Prevention and Control Bureau to conduct a comprehensive briefing on the department’s tuberculosis control and prevention efforts as part of the leadership transition, and to postpone all related ongoing and planned procurement activities for 2026. The anonymous complainants said the briefing, scheduled for July 30, did not push through, which indefinitely halted the entire process. They also alleged that Pujalte intentionally delayed the public bidding to buy time for a favored supplier. Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection attacking the lungs. It is the leading cause of death worldwide from a single infectious agent, according to the World Health Organization. It is also curable, as long as patients strictly adhere to daily antibiotic intake for a recommended period of six to nine months. By allegedly delaying the procurement, the complainants argued that Pujalte’s decision could trigger a nationwide stockout and deny patients daily medicines, since manufacturing, qualification, and distribution could take nearly 10 months. DOMINO EFFECT. In a complaint filed at the Office of the Ombudsman against Department of Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. on August 5, 2026, the complainants provided a diagram of the potential impact of delaying the procurement of tuberculosis drugs for adults. “Every day [Pujalte’s] freeze order remains active brings the nation closer to total stockout, guaranteeing that thousands of patients will be forced off their medication,” the complainants wrote. The complainants sought an immediate investigation and the preventive suspension of the DOH secretary for alleged grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the service. The act, they alleged, was an unlawful impounding of the department’s budget. They also alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, New Government Procurement Act, and Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Act. The DOH and Pujalte have yet to give a statement. This report will be updated as soon as they respond to the complaint. First complaint against Pujalte On July 31, less than a week prior, Pujalte faced gambling allegations from a complaint-letter submitted to Malacañang. Anonymous “concerned citizens” alleged that Pujalte had repeatedly gambled at major casinos and used aliases to conceal his identity. The DOH denied the allegations, saying that the health secretary visited an unnamed hotel to attend a meeting with fellow government officials. “Tanging ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga pampublikong ospital sa rehiyon ang pinag-usapan sa naturang pagtitipon,” their statement read. (The discussion at the gathering focused solely on assisting public hospitals in the region.) – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading