LAOAG CITY, Dec. 5 -- The Ilocos Norte provincial government has assembled an inspection team to enhance access to essential medicines at the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH) in this city.

Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos confirmed this on Friday, following a shortage of medicines for patients at the Ilocos Norte provincial hospital.

"I am sorry it has to happen like that. This is a learning curve for us and hopefully it will not happen again," Marcos said.

The governor said she has instructed Dr. Arlene Ragasa, chief of hospital at the GRBASMH, to expedite the procurement process, especially for medicines, to ensure a sufficient supply.

Marcos said several factors contributed to the shortage of medicines at the ...