Peruvian Comptroller warns of S/. 49.9 million loss as 52 million syringes near expiry

Peru's Comptroller General's Office has issued a stark warning regarding a potential loss of nearly S/. 50 million due to over 52 million syringes nearing their expiration date. These disposable syringes, equipped with retractable needles, are currently stored at the National Center for Supply of Health Resources (Cenares) and face imminent expiry between February and December 2027.

The substantial stock was acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic and distributed to various health facilities and regional governments. However, a significant portion of these syringes returned to Cenares's warehouse due to low demand. They now occupy approximately 30% of the available physical space, incurring additional storage costs.

According to the Comptroller's office, maintaining this inventory has already resulted in unnecessary expenses exceeding S/. 1.7 million annually for storage. In 2025, Cenares considered donating the syringes to other countries, but this plan did not materialize as potential recipients lacked the budget for transportation and other associated costs.

A July 2026 report concluded that the most practical solution would be to process the syringes for disposal and subsequent destruction. This measure is estimated to incur an additional cost of S/. 679,400. The Comptroller's office also identified over 1.5 million expired COVID-19 rapid tests, valued at more than S/. 10 million, which are immobilized as evidence in a public ministry investigation and cannot be eliminated.