Govt. approves $700M drugs purchase as two weeks supplies remain

Jan 15, 2016 News

Cabinet has approved the sum of $700M for the purchase of essential drugs and other medicine supplies for health facilities in all ten administrative regions.
The Ministry of Public Health, according to a Government statement yesterday, has reported that existing stocks are expected to last until the end of this month, and arrangements will be fast-tracked to deal with any emergency situations.
On Tuesday, January 12, the Cabinet was briefed about current stock levels of pharmaceuticals and other medicine supplies in the health sector. Cabinet approved monies to buy medication to treat any outbreak of H1N1 viral influenza.
Government said it had approached a single supplier to provide the medication as a precaution in the event that anyone should be at risk from the viral influenza which reportedly has affected persons in some neighbouring states.
“In approving $700M for fresh supplies, the Guyana Government has opted to implement a fair and open bidding process for all suppliers in the pharmaceutical industry to get an opportunity to secure contracts.”
The statement noted that whilst in opposition, both APNU and the AFC, which now form the six-party coalition, had declared that when elected, they would end the discriminatory practice of sole sourcing of medical supplies.
“The Ministry of Health has received support from the USAID to develop a new standard for an open, competitive bidding system. A bidding document to this effect was approved by the National Tender Administration Board, following which a pre-bid meeting with all potential bidders was held on December 16, 2015.”
A multi-billion-dollar pre-qualification, sole sourcing contract with the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation ended in October, 2015, easing concerns with stakeholders over the unfair practice.