DOH probes Pharmally sale of substandard face shieldsDuque’s statement to President Duterte during the weekly report to the nation was aired hours after the Filipino Nurses United (FNU) expressed concern that the substandard face shields and other PPEs sold by Pharmally might have exposed healthcare workers to COVID infection that led to the deaths of some HCWs. Duterte initially scoffed at the report that the face shields bore expiry dates that a warehouse worker said he had altered, as instructed by Pharmally executive Krizle Grace Mago, who confirmed the tampering. But Duque explained that unlike ordinary plastic face shields, medical grade face shields have protective foams on the upper rim that deteriorate over time and therefore have expiry dates. Sen. Richard Gordon announced that Pharmally administrative officer Krizle Grace Mago could no longer be reached days after admitting that they tampered with the product certificate of face shields delivered to the DOH. For Alliance of Health Workers president Robert Mendoza, the proposal is divisive and discriminating because only one type of benefit will be provided to health workers.

Source: Philippine Star September 27, 2021 16:00 UTC