Moises Padilla denies expired medicine allegations

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The local government unit (LGU) of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, responded to an online post alleging that one of its nurses gave their mother expired medicine during a recent medical mission.

The LGU issued a statement on Dec. 19, addressing a Facebook post by Beverly Gavaran on Dec. 16.

In her post, Gavaran alleged that a nurse administered a high dose of expired high blood pressure medicine (Telmisartan + Hydrochlorothiazide) to her mother during a medical mission in Barangay Inolingan on Dec. 9, 2025.

Telmisartan + Hydrochlorothiazide is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure, usually administered orally.

The LGU said that they have investigated the allegation and posted their findings on their official social media page over the weekend.

They indicated, from records signed by the patient, Lorna Gavaran, that only three medicines were given during the medical mission: Oral Rehydration Salt, Loperamide, and Domperidone.

The LGU said the medicines were prescribed solely for gastrointestinal concerns, such as dehydration, diarrhea, and nausea.

It added that its official inventory showed the municipality had no stock of Telmisartan + Hydrochlorothiazide.

Because the drug was not in its supply, the LGU said it would have been impossible for municipal nurses to dispense it.

The investigation report also said that on Dec. 15, 2025, Gavaran’s son, Johnson Gavaran, sought assistance from the mayor’s office to obtain high blood pressure medication (Telmisartan) prescribed for his mother.

The mayor’s office initially attempted to buy the medicine from a local pharmacy through a “vale” arrangement, a common local practice that allows payment to be deferred, but the transaction was canceled because the drug was unavailable.

With no stock at the LGU and none available at the pharmacy, the local government provided Johnson Gavaran with PHP 500 in cash assistance so the family could purchase the medicine elsewhere.

The LGU said the cash assistance was proof that it did not have Telmisartan on hand.

“We could not have dispensed expired Telmisartan because we did not have this medicine in our inventory in the first place,” the statement said.

They described the Facebook post as irresponsible and defamatory towards their health workers.

It said the allegation directly attacked the integrity and reputation of municipal nurses and medical personnel.

The LGU said it is prepared to pursue legal action against individuals who spread malicious and unfounded claims to protect employees and uphold public trust in local health services.