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$345M in drugs, medical supplies paid for, but undelivered in past three years – Dr. Anthony rips Govt. on procurement in health sector
Opposition front-bencher, Dr. Frank Anthony yesterday chastised Government on its management record of the health sector, pointing to several instances of procurement breaches in the supply of drugs and medical supplies.
During his contribution to the 2019 budget debate, Dr. Anthony highlighted that $345M in drugs and medical supplies were paid for by the Government in the past three years that have not been supplied.
Dr. Anthony indicated that between 2015 and 2017, the government expended vast sums of monies to buy drugs and medical supplies. He indicated that many of these contracts were made as an ‘emergency purchase’, so that the delivery was time bound to fix the shortages in the public health system.
PPP MP, Dr. Frank Anthony
“It is therefore unbelievable to learn that more than $345.4M was paid for drugs and medical supplies from 2015 to 2017 that were not delivered and were still outstanding,” Dr. Anthony stated.
Pointing to findings from the Auditor General (AG)’s report, Dr. Anthony shared that in 2015, 144.6M was still to be delivered; 2016, $67.7M; and in 2017, $133M.
“Can somebody explain what is going on in the Ministry of Public Health? We await the verdict of how much more drugs is outstanding for 2018. This situation is hurting the patients,” Dr. Anthony stated.
For 2017 and 2018, the AG’s report identified the suppliers who are still to deliver as per contract as New GPC, USAID Global Health Chain, PAHO, Massy Gas Products, Caribbean Medical Suppliers and Royal Emporium.
The AG had also pointed to outstanding deliveries between 2011 and 2014, the period when Dr. Anthony and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) controlled Government. In 2011, it was $7.3M; 2013, 58.5M; and 2014, $8.9M. This was not highlighted by Dr. Anthony in his budget presentation.
Dr. Anthony pointed out that another interesting phenomenon has developed, where many of the favoured importers of drugs and medical supplies are not properly registered with the Food and Drug Administration.
“Many of the medications that they import have not been checked to ensure that they meet the right quality standards. However, yet, they are allowed to import because they are supplying the government. This is a breach of the Food and Drug Act and must not be allowed to continue,” Dr. Anthony stated.
PROCUREMENT WOES
Dr. Anthony pointed out that one of the critical areas of government waste has been inefficient and corrupt procurement practices. He reminded that Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, declared last year that procurement at the Ministry of Public Health has been brought under control.
“These beautiful words cannot cover the stench of corruption. I notice that Minister Cummings this year stayed clear of praising her senior colleague and stayed even further away from procurement issues. Moreover, we are left to wonder why? The answer is in the Auditor General report for 2017; it seems that the Ministry of Public Health was guilty of breaching most sections of the Procurement Act,” Dr. Anthony stated.
He noted that “indeed the bell has sounded, malpractice in procurement continues unabated”. He said the now infamous case of HDM Labs, which was awarded through single sourcing – has caused a loss of millions of dollars to the treasury.
“If the government likes to be taken seriously, then they should take actions against these transgressions. It is not only about sounding the bell, it is about belling the fat cats,” Dr. Anthony declared.
The former Government Minister also chided the Government on its decision to lease private property to store drugs, including the infamous Sussex Street property. He stated that there are also concerns about the ability of the Ministry of Public Health to execute millions in projects, inclusive of its new headquarters.
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