Even Masks Past Their 10-Year Expiration... US Faces Quality Controversy Over Stockpiled Medical Supplies

A California National Guard official inspected a temporary COVID-19 hospital set up in the Indio area on the 29th of last month (local time). The National Guard established the temporary hospital to alleviate the burden on regional hospitals caused by the spread of COVID-19. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] In the United States, which is experiencing a shortage of medical equipment due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), some of the equipment provided from the government stockpile has been found to be too old or broken to use.

On the 3rd (local time), the Associated Press (AP) reported that in some U.S. states, old or broken medical equipment such as masks, gloves, and ventilators were distributed, exposing medical staff to the risk of COVID-19 infection.

According to the report, about 6,000 masks that arrived in Alabama were so worn out that they were decayed. Their expiration date was until 2010, meaning they were already 10 years past due. Additionally, 150 ventilators sent to Los Angeles, California, were in need of repair, and in Oregon, masks with reduced elasticity that risked rubber bands breaking were distributed. In New Hampshire, about 16,000 medical gloves that cause 'latex allergy' and were unusable arrived.

Kate Brown, spokesperson for Oregon Governor, said, "Some of the equipment received from the National Strategic Stockpile was well past its expiration date," adding, "I heard that most of the expired equipment could be used for COVID-19 response, but it would not be suitable for surgical use." The spokesperson also pointed out that some of the equipment was purchased by the government during the 2009 novel influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak over 10 years ago.

The spokesperson said that the masks with rubber band issues were previously recalled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and that it was decided not to distribute the equipment to medical staff at all.

The AP reported that in several states, federal government stockpile equipment distribution was delayed or they received far fewer supplies than requested, leading to complaints, but upon realizing that the equipment that arrived was unusable, their frustration increased. In response, Colorado Senator Cory Gardner demanded an investigation into the supply and distribution management of stockpiled ventilators, and the New Hampshire legislature also sent a letter of protest to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Earlier, the CDC acknowledged that some items exceeded the manufacturer-designated shelf life but stated that they were distributed to hospitals due to the urgent demand caused by the COVID-19 crisis. At a press conference on the same day, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed that only six days' worth of ventilators remained, while Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards expressed concern that the medical equipment stock in his district, New Orleans, would run out by the 7th.